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kindness when he came, refused (at least many of them) to go out of their prison: they said "they were quite satisfied where they were; they liked the dark.. ness better than the sickening light of the day; and they had got so used to their chains, that they would not leave the prison." And the jailor promising that, if they stayed with him, they should be well fed and well kept, they were contented, and stopped there. As for the others, they left the prison; and the air smelt so fresh, after the close dampness of the prison, that it seemed to fill them with new life. By little and little the grey streak in the east grew broader and brighter, the grey changed into bright white, and the white into orange, and the orange into a blaze of glory as the sun rose above the hills. The poor prisoners had heard, as they walked along, the howling of wild beasts near them, which made their hearts sink with fear; but, as the day rose, these fierce creatures gat them away together and lay down in their dens; and even before the day, whilst it was yet dark, no ravenous beast actually came across the road in which they were walking, and they did not feel so afraid as they would have felt by themselves because he, their friend and deliverer, was with them. But he left them soon, though he did not leave them without a guide. He told them to wait at a certain place by the way till his guide should come. They waited accordingly for him, and in a little while he came. Their friend, before he left, told them that it was for their good he was going away: "he was then returning home," he said, " to make every thing ready for receiving them back ;" and he promised to come and meet them when they reached the sea, and be with them when they got on board the ship which he would send to carry them across. He earnestly charged them to keep close to their guide, and not leave him for a minute; and assured them that if they did so, that guide would undertake to bring them all And so they parted; and I have heard that the men, women, children, and little babes at the breast, are yet on their road towards the coats of the dangerous island.

safe to the shore.

Poetry.

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New faces, new forms, my way might attend,
When most I should need the support of a friend ;
But my onward prospect is heaven's own day,
For to those that are gone I am passing away.
Yet, as I pass through death's lone vale,
Though my coward heart and flesh may fail,
The word of truth, as my staff and rod,
Shall comfort me; while my Saviour God,
As my light, my joy, my guide, my stay,
Shall prove the friend that shall not pass away!
ANNE ELLIOT.

Miscellaneous.

OLD AGE.-At the foot of Mount Cenis-that "giant of the Alps"-an antiquated dame called on us without any introduction than that of her patriarchal years, which were 117; and who, judging from her aspect, did not seem unwilling to add 83, and thus fill up two centuries of life. Of existence she did not appear tired, or disposed to agree in the sentiment that such protracted life is but "protracted sorrow, and still added woe." Her progeny was no less patriarchal, for she had seventeen daughters, one of whom became a bride at the mature age of nearly "three score years and ten," and afterwards entered album with the names of many travellers she had the state of matrimony twice. She presented an spoken with, including those of several crowned heads, when we added by her desire our names to the list, and tendered her a piece of money, which was evidently the object of her paying the visit. After she had departed, I could not help reflecting how singularit is that those, whose existence is one unvaried monotonous course, are frequently found to be less weary of life than those who possess or seem to enjoy all that renders life desirable; yet the impatience of the latter under the abated enjoyment, if not absolute privations, which lengthened years bring along with them, may be ascribed in some measure to the very advantages they possess: the external means continue the same, but the power of enjoyment itself is fled; they have partaken of the banquet of existence not wisely, but too well"-partaken of it to

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"THE FASHION OF THIS WORLD PASSETH satiety, yet are unwilling or afraid to retire; they have

AWAY."

(For the Church of England Magazine).

WHERE are the friends of my early days,
Who shared alike my tasks and plays?
Whose mind was a map, whereon I might trace
The source of each thought that o'erspread the face?
Where are the gay ones? O, where are they?
All passed, or passing fast away.

Where are the friends of my riper years,
Who trod with me this valley of tears?
With whom I found my joys, though bright,
Died like a taper in grief's dark night;

Nor cheered my pathway through its gloom?
Where are they? In, or near the tomb.
Where are the friends of my life's decline,
The friends in need-most truly mine!
Whose converse sweet, in this world of strife,
Soothes my bosom, and brightens my life?
They, at least, are not passed away?
Friends still remain, but how few are they!
To whom do I look as the friends of my age,
The supports of my life's last tedious stage?

lived in the world and for the world till that world rejects them; other competitors for distinction, more active than themselves, press by them: other interests have sprung up, along with other generations; and although they may not be rudely excluded from the scenes of their former vanities and gaities, they feel that they can shine there no longer. The earlier part of their career having been one of continual and undue excitement, what should be tranquillity in after life assumes for them the character of joyless apathy, or a state of mingled regret and envy; they are craving for fresh stimuli when they ought to be content with ease. Truly miserable indeed is the old age of a mere man of the world-of one whose exclusive pursuits, whose whole thoughts and aspirations, in short, soul and body, have been given to the present life and its fugitive enjoyments, and totally lost sight of those things regarding his everlasting peace. Might I not add-" O wretched man that thou art! who shall deliver thee from this body of sin and death?"-Rae Wilson's Route in France and Italy.

London: Published by JAMES BURNS, 17 Portman Street. Portman Square; W. EDWARDS, 12 Ave-Maria Lane, St Paul's; and to be procured, by order, of all Booksellers in Town and Country.

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VOL. XII. No. 337.

THE PAROCHIAL SYSTEM:

A PASTORAL ADDRESS.

APRIL 2, 1842.

PRICE 1d.

among whom the pure word of God should be preached, and the sacraments be duly administered according to Christ's ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same;" such is the simple scriptural definition of the church in our 19th article.

Your church is built for the worship of God in his own appointed way, "by a congregation of faithful men;" and, as the minister thereof, it is my duty to invite you to join this congregation.

BY THE REV. JAMES COLLEY, M.A., Incumbent of Trinity Church, Shrewsbury. FOUR years have now elapsed since the church, built for your benefit and accommodation, was consecrated and opened for divine service. On that, as on a subsequent occasion, I felt it my duty, as your appointed minister, to offer to you a few words of exhorta- My dear friends, you are all now invited: tion upon the connexion which was then Almighty God has, in his abundant mercy, formed between us; and, as an important provided every thing necessary for your prechange has just now taken place in the cir- sent and everlasting salvation. Like some cumstances of our connexion, I think it well great king, he "has prepared a rich feast, to lay before you a few thoughts on our pre- decked his table with all kind of provisions,' sent position. By the law of the land your and now he sends his servants with the word township has now become a separate parish, of invitation to every individual-" Come, as regards all the duties and services of the for all things are now ready-every thing to church; that is, all baptisms, as well as satisfy the mind, to give peace to the conmarriages and other rites of the church, are science, to cheer the heart with a hope full to be performed for the inhabitants of the of immortality." Every thing is now predistrict parish by the minister of Trinity pared: "Now then we are ambassadors for church alone. I call this an important Christ; as though God did beseech you by change, because it throws the entire respon- us, we pray you in Christ's stead," come sibility of your spiritual concerns upon my- and sit down to the feast provided for you. self: thus the bond which has hitherto united" Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to us together has been strengthened, and I am constituted your minister in perpetuity, till some unforeseen event terminates our connexion.

In commencing, therefore, afresh (as I now do) my ministerial duties, I would once more remind you of the object for which the church was built, and a minister appointed over you, namely, that there should be brought together "a congregation of faithful people,

VOL. XII.-NO. CCCXXXVII.

the waters; and he that hath no money, come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price" (Isaiah lv. 1; Matt. xxii. 1, 4; Prov. viii. 1-5, and ix. 1-6). A streamlet from the great fountain of salvation has been brought to your doors, and whoever desires it may "take of the water of life freely" (John vii. 37; Rev. xxii. 17). The invitation then is universal; whoever will may accept it; and to the great

[London: Joseph Rogerson, 24, Norfolk-street, Strand.]

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66

for ever." The ministers of Christ are sent by the good Shepherd to recal to his fold those who have "erred and strayed like lost sheep" into the paths of the destroyer. The church, then, built among you may be compared to a fold, over which a shepherd or pastor presides, and into which he is to invite all the souls committed to his care; and he is never to cease his labour, his care, and diligence, until he has done all that in him lies, according to his bounden duty, to bring all such as are or shall be committed to his charge unto that agreement in the faith and knowledge of God, and to that ripeness and perfectness of age in Christ, that there be no place left among them, either for error in religion or viciousness of life" (see "the Form and Manner of Ordering of Priests," in the book of Common Prayer).

majority among you, I am most thankful to | world, that they may be saved through Christ say, it is conveyed without cost or charge. By the benevolence of pious Christians, the church in which this salvation is published has been built so as to accommodate 508 persons in free seats. Our invitation, then, is perfectly disinterested: we ask not your money; we ask you not to please us, but to benefit yourselves; we seek not our own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be saved: "We seek not yours, but you." Thus "the poor have the gospel preached to them." "Blessed are they who hear its joyful sound;" may numbers so hear it as to experience its gracious benefits! These benefits I would briefly recount to you, and I cannot do so better than by reminding you of the origin and constitution of the church of Christ, as it at present exists in this country. The church of Christ in England was founded in apostolic times, that is, either St. Paul, or missionaries sent by him, first preached the gospel in England (within 100 years after our Lord's ascension), just as he had done at Thessalonica, or Corinth, or in Crete, and, by the blessing of God accompanying the labours of his servants, the British people were converted to the faith of Christ. In process of time churches were built for the worship of God. The bishop's church was called his "cathedral;" and from that, as a central station, he sent out his presbyters or priests through different circuits or parishes in his diocese, to preach the word of God and administer his holy sacraments. These ministers in time became stationary; they resided in the districts or parishes assigned to them so that every corner of the land now has its appointed pastor, whose duty it is to "preach the gospel to every creature" within its limits. Such was the beginning of our beautiful "parochial system." The whole land was parcelled out into parishes, and over each parish a minister was appointed by those successors of the original missionaries, or apostles, who alone have the authority to do so. These are called the bishops of the church, and they were from time to time to "set in order the affairs of the church, and to ordain elders or priests in every city" (Titus i. 5). In the course of centuries, however, the principal parishes became too populous for one church and one minister; of late years, therefore, our large and populous parishes have been subdivided, and separate ministers set over them: such is the case with your own parish. And now inquire, I beseech you, what is the object of all this beautiful system? The object is to bring souls to Christ-"to seek for Christ's sheep that are dispersed abroad, and for his chiidren who are in the midst of this naughty

Such is the commission by virtue of which I come among you; and "I bid you in the name of God, I call you in Christ's behalf, I exhort you as ye love your own salvation," not to neglect or despise the means of grace so bountifully provided for you. In this fold all things necessary for a godly life are fully provided for you. There is mercy offered you by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and deliverance from sin by the power of the Holy Spirit. "We then, as workers together with God, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain (for he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is your accepted time; behold, now is your day of salvation)." "To-day, then, while it is called to-day, harden not your hearts;" but incline your ear and come to Christ, who speaks to you by his ministers, and who, through his ordinances, offers to convey to your heart that grace which is necessary to deliver you from the love of sin, and to incline you "to follow after holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord" (Heb. xii. 14).

I would then represent your parish church as the depository of God's grace for your parish-as the court of the Lord's house, where the King of heaven comes and feasts the people of that parish, and whither he invites all to draw nigh and place themselves at his table. In the word of God there read and preached, the sinner is humbled, the Saviour exalted, the saint edified. To the prayers offered up, the promise of Christ is fulfilled-" Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. xviii. 20). By the sacraments grace is communicated: "for they are not only badges or tokens of Christian men's profession, but rather they be certain sure

witnesses and effectual signs of grace and God's good will towards us; by the which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our faith in him" (Art. xxv). Thus every thing necessary for your spiritual and eternal welfare is provided. The church of God established among you―i. e., minister and people assembled together in the name and by the authority of Christ (see John xx. 21; John xiii. 20, xvii. 20; Matt. xxviii. 19, 20) in his holy temple-are ready to receive you into their society; and not you only, but your infant offspring also; for "the promise" of remission of sin and the gift of the Holy Ghost "is unto you and your children, and to as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts ii. 39). And to every soul in your parish is this call sent; no one can say he has not been summoned; for to all, without exception, is it addressed: "Turn you at my reproof," saith the Lord; "behold, I will pour out my Spirit upon you, I will make known my words unto you." O take heed lest that also which is written be fulfilled in your case!" Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hands, and no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh" (Prov. i. 23-26). But, beloved, we will hope "better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak." I earnestly desire that you may all so avail yourselves of the means of grace now offered to you, as to enjoy a good hope of eternal glory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let me entreat you to consider what I now write. The means of grace are offered to you. The whole system of the church is one beautiful harmonious plan for the conveyance of grace into the soul, and for the maintenance of the spiritual life. Observe, we do not say the church will save you: we do not (as some would slanderously report of us) place the church before Christ; but we say the church is the means through which you are brought to Christ; it is the channel through which the oil of his grace is poured into your hearts. By baptism, "as by an instrument, they that receive it rightly are grafted into the church; the promises of forgiveness of sins, and of our adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealed." Being thus grafted into the body of Christ's people, the baptized infant is allowed to partake of their privileges. He enjoys an interest in all the prayers and intercessions which the church offers up for her members. Thus the seed of divine grace implanted in his heart is secretly nourished

and watered by the dew of heaven. As he advances from childhood to manhood, his instruction in divine truth is provided for in the catechism, which contains a whole body of divinity. In this the church intends all her members to be educated, "because there is nothing contained therein but may be proved by most certain warrants of holy scripture." When sufficiently matured by age and discipline to answer for himself, and to give a reason of the hope that is in him, he is presented for confirmation to the bishop, who prays that God would "strengthen him with the Holy Ghost the Comforter, and daily increase in him his manifold gifts of grace;" and then, after the example of the holy apostles, lays his hand upon him to certify him by that sign of God's favour and gracious goodness to him. He is then admitted to the full participation of the privileges of the church, being free to join in that other holy sacrament which she dignifies by the name of the communion; intimating that it is the highest act of spiritual communion both with Christ and with each other, into which the faithful can be admitted on earth. There he is fed with the spiritual food of the most precious body and blood of Jesus Christ our Saviour, and is assured thereby of God's favour and goodness towards him; and that he is a very member incorporate in the mystical body of Christ, that is, the blessed company of all faithful people; and also an heir through hope of God's everlasting kingdom, by the merits of the most precious death and passion of his dear Son: he prays also for grace to continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as God has prepared for him to walk in (see communion service); and, thus nourished, fed, and comforted, he grows in grace and in the knowledge of his God and Saviour, letting his light shine before men, and bringing glory to God by his sober, righteous, and godly conversation: nor is there a single circumstance of his life in which there is not some special means of grace provided for him. He is interested in those prayers which are offered up day by day for all estates of men in this holy church. Does he enter the holy state of matrimony? He is joined "in the Lord," and is blessed by the minister in the name of the Lord. Is he detained from the public communion of saints by sickness? He still is benefited by the care of the church, who sends her minister to the chamber of sickness, with the heavenly salutation-" Peace be to this house!" And, when his closing scene arrives, he is commended to the care and favour of his heavenly Father, and is laid in the grave "in sure and certain hope of a resurrection to eternal life,” amid the prayers of the parish, that God

would "shortly accomplish the number of his elect, and hasten his kingdom, that we, with all those who are departed this life in his faith and fear, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, inhis eternal kingdom."

Such, dearly beloved, is the consummation to which we would bring you; and such the path by which we would conduct you to it. We would number you among Christ's happy flock, of which he says " My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John x. 27, 28).

We pray you, then, listen to his voice. We ministers are but earthen vessels through which Christ himself speaks; and we would have you regard the church as his institution, as his body, the temple of the Holy Ghost, "the depository of God's truth, the depository of God's grace." We would have you followers, not of any man or set of men, however good or holy in themselves-not of Luther, not of Calvin, not of Cranmer, not of Laud-but of Christ. We would have you see Christ every where, and in every thing that is sacred-Christ in the church, Christ in the sanctuary, Christ in the sacraments, Christ in the ordinances, Christ in the ceremonies, Christ in every act of providence, Christ in every act of grace. "Christ is all and in all; and he is before all things, and by him all things consist; and he is the head of the body of the church-the fulness of him that filleth all in all" (Coloss. i. 17, 18; Ephes. i. 23).

And now, beloved, all we wish is for you "to be found in Christ, not having your own righteousness, but that which is through the faith of Christ." Therefore, seek him in his ordinances; which are administered in the following order :

Divine service every Sunday at eleven o'clock in the morning, and at a quarter past six in the evening.

On the first Sunday in every month there is a special service in the afternoon, at three o'clock, for the public administration of the holy sacrament of baptism.

Pray consider that you would be committing as positive a sin by wilfully turning your back on this holy sacrament as you would by a wilful absence, without just cause, from public worship. I trust many, very many, are beginning to see the importance of more consistency on this point with their professed principles.

In addition to the Sunday services, there is a weekly service every Wednesday evening at seven o'clock; and I would urge the importance of making use of this opportunity of public worship, especially upon my poorer brethren; because I am sure it would be both a refreshment and comfort, in the midst of their six days' toil, to come up for one hour to the sanctuary, and there pour out their "desires and petitions," their wants and their sorrows, into the ears of that almighty Friend who promises to such as thus obediently observe his directions his Holy Spirit, under the delightful name of "the Comforter," saying" If a man love me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come and make our abode with him” (John xiv. 23).

The boys' weekly school and the infant school are intended to afford the benefits of a sound religious education to those who are unable to procure it for their children elsewhere; and I hope that such will not neglect this important means of good for their children, or the rich be so far unmindful of their duty to God and man, as to withhold a helping hand and a liberal contribution from these important institutions.

A lending library has been opened for the use of all classes in the parish, during the past year: the books are exchanged every Wednesday evening from five to half-past six o'clock. To this also contributions of approved books, and donations of money, will be thankfully received by the minister.

Having thus briefly stated to you the benefits offered by this sacred institution, the church, I would earnestly entreat you to seek for grace to hold the faith delivered to you thereby, "in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life." Is the church the depository of grace for the parish? On the second Sunday in every month the let it be the centre of unity also. I trust all holy communion is administered after the those who have been baptised into this body, morning service; and also, for the benefit of and who reside in the parish, will see the those persons who cannot well attend con- importance of maintaining, as far as possible, stantly in the morning, there is a second the beautiful order of the parochial system. administration in the afternoon, at three It was intended by the great Head of the o'clock; and it is hoped that increasing num-church, that all its members residing in a bers will avail themselves of the opportunity particular country or town, or district, should of fulfilling this most important duty, and will comply with their Lord's dying command-"Do this in remembrance of me."

be one-one in faith, in heart, in love-"perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." in the same judgment." He intended that

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