no real objection to the comparison of our own resources for promoting Christian Knowledge with those of the Apostolic age; because we have no occasion to introduce into the account the extraordinary means which it pleased Almighty Wisdom to grant the first Preachers of the Gospel, except in the way of contrast (as was hinted at first, ) and as an evidence of the essential difference in the circumstances of the Church then and now. Our only business is to place our means beside those, which were bequeathed by the Apostle to his Ephesian Church in its full and final developement. For ours is not an Infant Church, nor so far as this island is concerned, a Missionary Church. Thanks be to God, we do not depend for our spiritual sustenance upon the precarious supply, which a few zealous men might from time to time impart to us; we are not exposed to the dangers of Heresy and Schism from the alternate predominance of rival teachers, nor the temporary prevalence of every shifting wind of doctrine. We have a stated authorized Ministry, answering as closely as possible to the various orders in the Ephesian Church; we have a form of sound words, and sound discipline; we have the full use of God's Holy Word and Sacraments; in a word, we have a Scriptural and Apostolical Church.

The first inference therefore to be drawn from

the parallel between our own circumstances and those of the Ephesians is this,-that a Church duly constituted like our own is the great appointed means of diffusing Christian Knowledge within its proper sphere. I am far from asserting, that God will bless no other means, and that no other channels will be made available for the Propagation of the Gospel throughout the world; but this I am bound to maintain,-that the means contemplated by St. Paul for the edification of particular communities is through the instrumentality of a regular Church. The second inference, which follows at once, is this, that whosoever admits the force of Apostolical authority, and the general duty of promoting Christian Knowledge, must consider himself under a paramount obligation to co-operate with his Church and her Ministers in the fulfilment of this acknowledged duty.

These then are the means, which we of this country possess for promoting Christian Knowledge. How do we then employ them? This second question is quite as important as the former; for in communicating such knowledge on those principles, which I have now endeavoured to deduce from the example of an Apostolic Institution, very much depends upon the mode, and, if I may venture to use the term, the machinery employed. No method can properly be adopted that shall contravene

the authority, or impair the union and discipline of the Church; and none can be expected to suceed, that shall wantonly confound the different means appropriated to different circumstances and conditions. In saying this, I disclaim all intention of reflecting upon any men or bodies of men, who conscientiously think themselves justified in resorting to other means for propagating the Gospel, Many a disinterested individual has risen up and preached the Gospel without authority, but not without success: and more than one independent Society, by the blessing of Providence on its labours of love, has been found highly serviceable in calling the heathen world to the knowledge of the truth; but I am firmly persuaded, that in the absence of miraculous power, the success of all missionary exertion will be more solid and lasting, in proportion as it is carried on under Church Authority, and is amenable to Church Discipline. Far be it from me therefore to depreciate the value of Missionary exertion in its proper province, and under due regulation; were I to do so, the very Society, whose cause I am now advocating, would rebuke and silence me. For many years it devoted much of its thoughts, and much of its income to the support of Gospel Ministers in India; and it is only of late that it transferred its Southern Missions to that ancient and venerable Corporation which may truly be called the Missionary Society

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of the Church of England," The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts." But though we have surrendered the management of these missions, we still continue to watch them with unabated interest. Wherever the Sister Society can establish its Ministers and Catechists, its Churches and its Schools, we delight in furnishing our assistance towards the erection of the necessary buildings, the supply of Books and Tracts, and whenever it may be needful, pecuniary aid for general purposes.

Surely this is enough to shew, that our Society is not a foe to Missionary enterprise, nor to the general promotion of Christian Knowledge abroad. But it is at home that our principle efforts are required; it is here that our labours are most appropriate it is the Household of Faith that should be first provided for; and unless we grow in grace, and the knowledge of God ourselves, vain will be all our endeavours to evangelize the world. Let us return then to those domestic means, which this Church and nation possess, and ascertain how we can best employ them. First and foremost then will be the agency of the Clergy. They, in obedience to St. Paul, and after the pattern of Timothy, will each in their several stations "do the work of Evangelists:" they will "preach the Word in season and out of season," they will

reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and doctrine." They will "hold fast the form of sound Words committed to them ;" and, true to their ordination vows, they will "teach and premonish, they will feed and provide, for the Lord's Family," nor will they ever "cease their labours, their care, and their diligence, until they have done all that in them lieth to bring all such as are or shall be committed to their 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 either for error in religion or for viciousness in life."

Next to the agency of the Clergy will be that of the Laiety, of the Members, no less than the Ministers of the Church. For with all the exertions of the Clergy in the Promotion of Christian Knowledge (and never I believe were those exertions greater than in the present day) there will still be abundant room for assistant labourers; there will still be a want of subsidiary means, besides the public preaching of God's Word, and the due administration of his Sacraments. These means, however, and these labourers, if we would be true to the Apostolic principle, which I have endeavoured to elucidate, must ever be in connection with, and in subordination to, the Church; they must neither trench upon its province, nor interfere

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