A CHARGE.

MY REVEREND BRETHREN,

Though a considerable period has elapsed since the decease of my excellent predecessor, I should disappoint your just expectations, as well as expose myself to the charge of much ingratitude, if I commenced my first address to you in any other way than by acknowledging the great advantage which has accrued to me from having had such a man to follow. How much it was his care and study, in the discharge of his official duties, to give no offence in any thing, that the ministry should not be blamed— the urbanity of his general deportment, his uniform kindness, and his exemplary love of peace, are well known to all of you. But when it fell to my lot to be his successor, I was told

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that my duties would be greatly lightened in consequence of his previous services; and it would very ill become me, if I were not forward to declare that I have found this testimony true.

It was indeed his simple concern to execute the trust committed to him, not to obtain a reputation for ability or zeal.

Whatsoever he

to go about it

The extent of

had to do, it was his manner quietly and unostentatiously. his labours, therefore, was perhaps little known, and the usefulness of them may have been but inadequately appreciated. A most persevering, as well as a very judicious labourer, nevertheless, he was and the fruits of his exertions have not been small. For that part of his office which called him to the inspection of the ecclesiastical buildings of the district under his care, he was eminently qualified by his peculiar tastes and studies; and he failed not to avail himself of this advantage. He had ascertained, by personal visitation, the precise state of every church within the archdeaconry and though he had many obstacles to encounter and though he was not a man who took delight in the exercise of authority, he had procured the substantial reparation of very many, which, by length of time, had become dilapidated, and the

restoration of others to decency and neatness, and to that degree of external good appearance, the neglect of which is so discreditable to those who allow of it, and so inconsistent with a just reverence of the sanctuary. It did not satisfy him, however, to have effected improvements, in various ways, himself. He was careful to lay a foundation for the benefit of any who should come after him. His documents, in my possession, not only constitute a most honourable monument to his own industry and fidelity in office; they are also a collection of facts so valuable, and so complete, as to leave, comparatively, little to be enquired into by his successor; whilst they cannot but afford the greatest light and assistance towards setting such things in order as may still be wanting.

I am well aware, therefore, that I am but entered into another man's labours, and that there is nothing better for me to do than to go on in the track which his care has so happily marked out for me. Before we meet again, I shall hope to have seen every church, and to have made the requisite examination into the state of the several parishes. When I shall have accomplished this, there may probably be some results which I shall consider it my duty to lay before you. But I must not ground any re

that my duties would be greatly lightened in consequence of his previous services; and it would very ill become me, if I were not forward to declare that I have found this testimony

true.

It was indeed his simple concern to execute the trust committed to him, not to obtain a reputation for ability or zeal. Whatsoever he

to go about it The extent of

had to do, it was his manner quietly and unostentatiously. his labours, therefore, was perhaps little known, and the usefulness of them may have been but inadequately appreciated. A most persevering, as well as a very judicious labourer, nevertheless, he was and the fruits of his exertions have not been small. For that part of his office which called him to the inspection of the ecclesiastical buildings of the district under his care, he was eminently qualified by his peculiar tastes and studies; and he failed not to avail himself of this advantage. He had ascertained, by personal visitation, the precise state of every church within the archdeaconry and though he had many obstacles to encounter-and though he was not a man who took delight in the exercise of authority, he had procured the substantial reparation of very many, which, by length of time, had become dilapidated, and the