APPENDIX No. IV. 66 Let none despair of producing this effect, or rest satisfied till they have produced it, and can see the main body of their parishioners seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and exhibiting such a state as in the event of their death, would give reasonable and scriptural hope respecting them. Why should the gospel have less power upon our people now, than it had upon the Thessalonians to whom St. Paul was able to appeal, as having "turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven :" concerning whom he could "thank God without ceasing, because when they received the word of God, they received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh in them that believe." Apostolical zeal and apostolical doctrine will still have the same effect. We have the like promise of assistance: Lo, I am with you alway even unto the end of the world." We have the same weapon entrusted to our hands," the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Why then should the faithful minister despair of being enabled to say what Baxter has recorded of his parish: "When I came thither first, there was about one family in a street that worshipped God and called upon his name, and when I came away, there were some streets where there was not past one family in the side of a street that did not so; and that did not, by professing serious godliness, give us hopes of their sincerity: and those families which were the worst, keeping inns and alehouses, usually some persons in each house did seem to be religious. Though our administration of the Lord's supper was so ordered as displeased many, and the far greater part kept away themselves, yet we had 600 that were communicants, of whom there were not twelve that I had not good hope of," &c. &c.* Every neighbourhood will still shew instances of the like effects following the like means; and if these means were universal, so also would the effects be. 66 The harvest truly is plenteous." I am acquainted with a parish, (and the instance is very far from Life and Times. Book 1. p. 1. singular) in which within a few years out of 204 adults, 83 have become communicants: and out of 90 houses or families, 49 use regular domestic prayer with reading of Scripture: whilst in 15 of the remaining 41 the practice is chiefly prevented by the want of an inmate who can ready but suling end * Many, when they find gross ignorance or gross vice generally existing, abandon the case as hopeless whereas these evils ought to stimulate to greater exertion, and to the introduction of plans suited to the circumstances: for no plan can be laid down which shall be adapted to every case, though every cuse will admit its own, if diligently inquired into Baxter mentions amongst the advantages which assisted him, "the zeal and dili gence of the godly people of the place; who thirsted after the salvation of their neighbours, and were in private his assi tants, and being dispersed throughout the town, were ready in almost all companies to repress seducing words, and to justify godliness, and convince, reprove, exhort men according to their needs: as also to teach them how to pray, and to sanctify the Lord's Day; for those people that had none in their families who could pray or repeat the sermons, went to their next neighbour's house who could do it, and joined with them." Both Scripture, therefore, and experience, fully warrant the expectation of success in our ministry, "not only in the way of outward reformation, but in a spiritual change, and of progressive and universal influence over the heart, life, and con duct. The fruit of ministerial labours is not indeed always visible in its symptoms, nor immediate in its results. Faith and patience will be exercised; sometimes severely so. But after a pain-taking, weeping seed-time, we may expect to bring our sheaves with rejoicing, and lay them upon the altar of God."* Nothing is more likely to prevent those exertions from being attempted which can alone produce effectual and permanent results, than the frequent removal of a minister from place • Bridges on the Christian Ministry, p. 9, a work remarkably calculated to contribute towards the effects here anticipated. G to place, or the expectation of such removal. Knowing, and deeply lamenting, the very inadequate remuneration for their laborious services which belongs to the majority of the Clergy in the diocese of Chester,-I cannot hope that they should not frequently look for change of situation. But there is one cause of uncertainty which is greatly to be deprecated, when a clergyman residing on another benefice accepts a second, in the idea perhaps that hereafter it may become convenient to him, though the whole profits must legally be assigned to his substitute. This not only keeps the parish in uncertainty with respect to their minister, and the minister with respect to his people, which is no small practical misfortune; but it is a continued obstacle to the improvement of the benefice. It may be worth while for an Incumbent, or his friends to add to the endowment of a living of small value, when for every £200 the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty will grant a like sum. But of course he who does this, or for whom it is done, must be the Incumbent. A parsonage house, when wanting, may be provided in the same way, and I am happy to know of several cases where this has been effected by parishioners. But no parishioners will make such an outlay for one, however they may value him, whose tenure is so precarious as that of a Curate. And thus the parish remains permanently deprived of the greatest blessing it can enjoy, a ministers' actual residence among his people. I hope that these will be considered as sufficient reasons, why I must not he expected to encourage pluralities of the nature to which I have been alluding. On the other hand, to the building of parsonage houses I shall be happy to offer any assistance in my power: and I take the opportunity of remind ing the many valuable persons who wish well to the Church and to the people of this county, that there are few objects to which they can direct their liberality with greater prospect of permanent benefit. |