succeeding day are shewing us more forcibly than ever, that no earthly power, no earthly skill can avail to heal the diseases and wounds of humanity, we know that for them also there is a remedy, if we can but bring it forth, and if men can be persuaded to receive it, in that Gospel which has the promise of this world, as well as of the world to come.

The first event of importance to the Church, which occurred after our last Visitation, was the Meeting of Convocation. These Meetings have acquired rather more significance of late years, than they possest during the previous century. In proportion as the consciousness of our ecclesiastical life has become more vivid, we have also felt the need of a council, in which that life should manifest itself, and by which the laws and rules and institutions of the Church should be adapted to the altered circumstances and exigencies of the age. That such a desire is both natural and reasonable, few will dispute. That our present position is a most anomalous one, nobody can well deny. Divers persons indeed, as is ever the case when a change is demanded, however palpable its advantage may be, or however imperative its necessity, have boded that it would cause still greater evils, than those under which we are at present suffering. Into this argument I will not enter now, having considered it at some length in a Note to my Charge on the Means of Unity. But having spoken to you more than once in former years on the desirableness of an Ecclesiastical Synod, I feel bound to state that this desirableness appeared to be recognised by a considerable majority of the members who were present in the Lower House of Convocation at our Meeting in last

November; and the expression of our desire, which we introduced into the Address sent down to us, was readily adopted by the Upper House. I could have wisht for my own part that the expression had been stronger; and I proposed an amendment to that effect. But another amendment, which did not differ very materially from mine, being proposed at the same time, both fell to the ground. that a body of men, who meet once in six or seven years for three or four hours, and most of whom are strangers to each other, should not fall at once into that orderly procedure, which a little experience suggests, and which is indispensable for carrying debates to a definite conclusion. Such a number of topics too came before us during those few hours, that it was impossible for any of them to receive the consideration they required. Owing to this cause, and to the vehement agitation by which the Church has been disturbed more than once since, I am afraid, the likelihood of the speedy meeting of an Ecclesiastical Synod has not been increast by the last Convocation. The somewhat faint expression of our wishes has been overpowered by the din of our subsequent disputes.

It is not to be wondered at

Among the subjects that were brought before us, one has since excited a lamentable ferment, and a painful and distressing controversy, a controversy in which I was reluctantly compelled to take a prominent part. For as I was called upon to invite you, my Reverend Brethren, to pronounce an opinion more or less condemnatory of a writer who had filled the highest theological chair in one of our Universities, it became a duty, which I could not decline, to examine the grounds.

alledged in behalf of that opinion: and seeing that a careful examination of those grounds convinced me that they were utterly futile, I dared not shrink from the further duty imposed upon me by my office, of warning you more especially, and such other persons as might give ear to my warning, against being misled by what seemed to me an unjust clamour. In so doing I was aware that the opinion I had to express was at variance with that entertained by some of you. But surely you will agree with me that this was no reason for my suppressing it, that on the contrary this only made it more incumbent on me to speak out plainly and without delay, in order that, if possible, I might withhold some of those, whom I knew to have formed their conclusions on very inadequate grounds, from taking a step which they would afterward deeply regret.

On the subject matter of this disastrous controversy I will not speak (A). But as the wrath of man, though of itself it does not work the righteousness of God, is often overruled to work it, so may we hope that in the present instance He, who alone can, and who often does, will educe good for His Church out of this evil. We may hope that, at a time when it is becoming more and more a recognised principle of politics, that there should be a sympathy and conformity between governments and the nations they are set to govern, a rightful deference will be paid to the feelings and opinions of the Clergy in the appointment of those who are to rule over them. Since the ancient forms, which were regarded as affording some sort of security on this head, have been proved to be empty nullities, let us further

hope, and do what in us lies, to obtain, that some real, efficient enactment may be provided,—it would not be difficult to devise one,-whereby the Church may be preserved from any encroaching tyranny on the part of the State (B).

On the other hand there is a warning and admonition with regard to our own conduct, to be drawn from the controversy referred to, which, if we give heed to it, will be of still greater value, and will far more promote the welfare of the Church. If any one thing was manifest on this occasion, it was, that a number of persons, who took no slight part in the controversy, had a very slender acquaintance with the grounds on which they were acting. I am not intending to express any censure on those, who, after a calm examination of the case, were led to a conclusion different from mine. Every conscientious conviction I desire always to respect. But surely, my Reverend Brethren, you must all concur with me, when I ask you the question thus generally, that it does not become any person, least of all a minister of Christ's Church, to take a step whereby he conveys a grave censure on a brother, without carefully investigating and sifting the reasons on which that censure is founded. Surely this at all events is involved in our Lord's words commanding us not to judge. Surely too it especially beseems our clerkly character to set an example of caution and deliberation in forming our judgements. At a time when the Church is so torn by the counter-currents of party-spirit, and when each party has its journals, which live by fanning and fostering and fueling, and almost pandering to its prejudices, it is more than ever incumbent on each of us to keep a strict

watch over our prejudices, and to be especially scrupulous in ascertaining the exact truth of whatever makes against an opponent. Party-spirit, like every other evil spirit, flies from the light, and dwells in darkness, because its deeds are dark. It is in the darkness that incendiaries prowl about, political and religious incendiaries, as well as others. Let us shun them, and their

darkness, and endeavour to walk always in the light.

Had this principle been acted upon, the second controversy of which I have to speak, would have been much less vehement and briefer; that, I mean, which has been excited by the Clauses concerning the management of Schools required by the Privy Council as a condition of their grants. If this matter had been treated calmly, and with the desire of attaining to an amicable result, not only would much needless irritation and asperity have been avoided, but the points of difference, which are of any real importance, would probably have been adjusted satisfactorily long ago. For there are certain premisses, as to which, it seems to me, all intelligent and candid persons, who consider the subject, must agree.

In the first place it would appear to have been lost sight of by many, that, when a new School is establisht, it is necessary to have a deed conveying the School to certain Trustees, who thenceforward have the sole legal authority to controll and manage it, unless their authority be limited by some express provision. To persons who have no acquaintance with such matters, all legal deeds are irksome and annoying. People like to have their own way in everything, and are unwilling to fetter what they deem their liberty of action. Trust-deeds,