but, in the meanwhile, we consider it to be our duty to destroy everything like monopoly-that we cannot or will not endure. It is contrary to the fundamental principles of liberality, whether it exist in manufactures, commerce, or religion. In every shape, no matter how first acquired, or for what cause established, it is hateful in our eyes."

Let us not be accused of treating an important subject with improper levity when we say, that the same spirit which has produced "free trade" in articles of commerce, advocates likewise a free trade in religion. Those who deem it right to admit the produce of foreign countries, to the dismay and ruin of our previously monopolizing manufacturer, consider it equally expedient to admit the spiritual subjects of the Italian priest into our councils, to the discomfiture of the heretofore monopolizing Church of England.

We have no intention here of again discussing either of these measures. Suffice it to say, that, when foreign goods are in the market, the manufacturer must either give up his trade, or endeavour to retain it by new and strenuous exertions, by submitting to heavy sacrifices, by "rising early, and late taking rest." All connected with or dependent upon him, must suffer, and endure, and toil with him. Whole towns and districts are thus struggling, while " poverty, like an armed man," stands over them prepared to strike the death-blow at the first cessation of their trembling industry. That success may crown their endeavours, and that the poor man's hearth may, ere long, be again surrounded by smiling faces, happy and contented with the fruit of their own industry, is the fervent prayer of every truly British heart!

This is hardly a digression; for, if the Church of England expects or hopes to retain her influence in society, she likewise must be strenuous in her exertions. Her clergy must enter," with all their soul and with all their strength," into the struggle. Those who are sunk in apathy, and who have hitherto been content to perform their "duty," without watching its effect, and to console themselves with the consciousness of their own rectitude of intention, for what will, in spite of habitual listlessness,

meet the eye and ear-such men must awake. When the tide is fair, a man may allow his boat to be borne along upon the waters, while, calmly reclined at ease, he watches the receding banks, and gazes upon the goodly prospect around; but, when the favourable current has spent itself, and the returning tide sets in, he may no longer sit with folded arms, even if he be content to retain his station on the stream. There must be toil and labour-and they must be incessant, or the bark will retrograde.

When we contemplate the English "Establishment" as a Church, the first thing that strikes us forcibly is, that her members are divided into two parties, each of which assert that the doctrines preached by the other are erroneous. This" dividing of a house against itself" is, indeed, a fearful symptom of weakness. Did we not know, from experience, how ingeniously men pervert words of the simplest construction, and wrest them to support their own preconceived notions-did we not know this, and were not the fact of this schism so notorious, it would have been difficult to credit its existence among the priesthood of a Church which requires that every minister, before he can officiate, shall subscribe certain articles of faith and church-government. These articles (published in Latin, and therefore not liable to be misunderstood, as if written in the changing idioms of a modern tongue) might have been supposed a sufficient guarantee for the preservation of unanimity among the priesthood. Experience, however, has proved the inefficacy of this precaution; but when, or how, or why it failed to answer its purpose, are questions not to be argued here. All that we have to consider, is the effect of the schism upon the present influence and future prosperity of the Church.

We have now, indeed, a painful task! When we look upon the clergy of the Church of England as a body, we feel no hesitation in affirming, that somewhat more is wanting of zeal, activity, and determined resolution, than has lately been apparent. The general character of the clergy is good, and kind, and amiable, seeking "no cause of offence," and desi

ring, as much as possible," to live in peace with all men." The retirement in which the greater portion are placed, for the fulfilment of their parochial duties, tends, probably in no small degree, to create and confirm this placidity of character. There is a quietness, an easy calmness and serenity, in the "even tenor of their way," which gradually lulls the spirit into tranquil and secure repose. Mingling in the society of neighbouring gentry of their own persuasion, to whom their manners and habits make them ever welcome, they are often induced to overrate the strength of their "Establishment," and conclude that "the Church" is indeed "built upon a rock," and cannot be moved. They may be compared to men of peaceful occupations, dwelling in a strongly fortified city, who gaze with admiration and confidence upon the massy walls by which they are environed, and, all unused to the thunder and stratagems of warfare, deem them impregnable. Long and uninterrupted possession has strengthened these feelings of security, and rendered them far more general than comports with the safety of a church surrounded by powerful and irreconcilable enemies.

From the nature of their education, and the ordeals to be passed, previous to taking degrees and receiving ordination, we may fairly conclude that the clergy of the Establishment cannot be incompetent to contend with their opponents. Talent is not wanting among them-and zeal, in defence of what they deem erroneous, is not extinct, if we may judge by the acrimony with which the two parties already mentioned vituperate each other. One scruples not to affirm that "the Gospel" is not preached by those of the opposite faction; and they, in recrimination, assert that their opponents inculcate new doctrines and dangerous delusions.

It is not our purpose here to enquire into the validity of these serious reciprocal charges; but to record the effect of their existence and constant repetition, which has been the splitting of the Church of England into two sects. It is now no uncom'mon sight to behold the laity of the Establishment shunning their parish church, as though it was the house of Baal, because the pulpit is occu

pied by a clergyman of the faction which they oppose. This schism, with all the inseparable bickerings of party spirit, has spread from the highest to the lowest ranks. Heartburnings, and jealousies, and even hatred, are engendered thereby between father and son; brethren shun each other, and the mother weeps over her deluded and beloved child. In the meanwhile, the faith of those who feel themselves incompetent to decide between the two parties becomes unsettled, and they wander forth, from the pale of that communion wherein they were educated, never to return. In this manner thousands, and tens of thousands, have been lost to the Church of England; for, so numerous are now the various sects of dissenters, and so nicely are the shades of distinction drawn, that, if a man once begin to doubt respecting any article of belief, fastidious indeed must he be if he cannot find some one congregation whose notions accord with his

own.

This desertion of the "Establishment," is most prevalent in cities and large towns, where, the moment an individual wavers in his profession of faith, he is eagerly sought out, and wrought upon by zealous, and often able, sectarians, to whose creed he becomes a convert; and, forthwith, with a convert's proverbial zeal, he, likewise, sets himself to the good work of gaining proselytes. Thus, by the discrepancy of the doctrines preached by the two divisions of the English clergy, is their influence much decreased among the laity.

Whether the Church of England will be able to retain the privileges and advantages yet in her possession, is a question upon which some light will probably be thrown in a very short time. Nothing but a vigorous stand on her behalf can prevent her from sinking gradually down. Firm and uncompromising, and sincere and active champions must come forward in her defence; and they must act together in combating against the innovating spirit which hath arisen. Like the Athenians of old, the British nation are now ever eager to "talk and to hear of some new thing." Whether for good or evil, the future alone can determine, but a spirit of inquiry is general throughout the land; and men of all classes arrogate to

themselves a right to question, and believe themselves capable of discussing and deciding upon subjects in which their forefathers were content to be instructed, and led by those who had studied them deeply. The vaunted "march of intellect," is the watchword and shout of pride with which the present vain-glorious generation pursue their course amid doubts, and experiments, and wild, delusive, and ever-crumbling theories. The past are held to have been ages of comparative darkness, and all that has been enacted therein, the work of men blinded by ignorance, prejudice, bigotry, and error. The wisdom of our ancestors," is a byeword of mockery and scorn; and the pages of history are declared worthless. The antiquity of an establishment, or set of opinions, consequently, instead of being any recommendation, becomes a reproach, a cause for suspicion and enquiry, whether they be worthy of those liberal and enlightened days. It is worse than useless to sneer at this inquisitive spirit. It is too general to be aught else than formidable, if aroused against any Establishment; and, if a cause be worth defending, this spirit must be satisfied, or that cause must fall.

The result of the first successful attack upon the constitution, whereby the Church of England lost her acknowledged pre-eminence, and has become one among many where she once was paramount, is yet too vivid in the recollection of all to admit of repetition. But there were certain events, in the progress of that inroad, which claim notice here, as they indicate the sort of defence which the "Established Church" may expect in future.

In former discussions upon the too well known question, all the Bishops holding seats in the House of Lords, voted against the admission of Roman Catholics among our rulers, with the solitary exception of Bathurst, Bishop of Norwich, who may therefore justly claim the, now, rare merit of consist

ency. But all those discussions were carried on when the Ministry, for the time being, was understood to be averse to the proposed measure. In the late debates, however, the Ministry avowed themselves in favour of its passing into a law: and then, and not till then, certain of those Bishops who had, previously, taken the contrary side of the question, voted for its enactment. To them were joined others, whose recent elevation, previous insignificance, and other causes, render it somewhat difficult to ascertain what their original opinions may have been. They were, altogether, ten in number.* We will not dilate upon the astonishment which pervaded the minds of men on that occasion. Suffice it to say, that a strong feeling went forth throughout the nation when it was known that ten Bishops had deserted a cause of which the whole bench (save one individual) had, heretofore, been decided advocates. Many severe things were said and written upon the subject, which we have no inclination to encumber ourselves by attempting to rebut. The consequences of these votes are, however, to our purpose. They shook, to the foundation, that confidence, for the protection of their rights and privileges, with which the members of the Church of England were wont to rely on the Bench of Bishops, as members of the Upper House. The splitting, and thus almost neutralizing the votes of their representative hierarchy, upon so important a question, appeared to them a

melancholy representation of a spiritual "kingdom divided against itself." It was but a poor consolation that some one or two were zealous for the "established order of things." While the people felt a warm glow of admiration and gratitude toward the learned and venerable Burgess and the uncompromising Law, they witnessed with pain the inactivity of others. And there was one, on whom they had especially relied for support; they had calculated on his eloquence and the energy of his charac

ter; he had previously spoken loudly, and plainly, and vehemently, in his place; and he had, by a constant appearance before the public, and a recent elevation in the Church, drawn the eyes of all men upon him: but when his last speech on that question was promulgated, men looked at each other, and were silent.

The effect of these things remains; for, thereby, the influence which the Church of England might have yet hoped to retain in the highest estate of the realm, is paralysed. From the Bishops collectively what can be expected? The warm friends of the Church fixed their eyes upon them during the important crisis, and be held their works that they were neither cold nor hot," but "lukewarm." Their ejection from the House of Peers has been already talked of, as a measure suited to the liberal policy of the day; and, if their "candlestick"+ should be “removed from its place," where are the mourners to be found?

It would, probably, be far better for the wellbeing of the Church to which they belong, that they should be entirely estranged from public affairs, than that they should be liable to such inferences as many have drawn from their conduct. What they have done " was not done in a corner." It is as much a matter of history as the noble firmness of those Bishops who were committed to the Tower in the days of James the Second; and men will canvass such occurrences, and form their own conclusions, and weigh the characters of actors therein as they think fit. There is nothing in the name of a Bishop that can or ought to exempt his conduct from this scrutiny, which is exercised equally towards all other descriptions of men: but there is a wide difference in the consequences if public opinion pass judgment against him. A general officer may be guilty of cowardice, yet no one will therefore charge our army with a want of bravery. A physician may be pronounced incapable, but no inference will thence be drawn of the ignorance of the profession, and so through other classes of society;but not so with a Church, which is a body of men, associated voluntarily, under certain leaders and rulers, ac

cording to whose character it must ever rise and fall, and fluctuate in public estimation. Worthless individuals of other professions bear about with them their merited disgrace as individuals only; but suspicion of time-serving, or "trimming," according to the opinions or wishes of the great, if attached to an ecclesiastic, inflicts a taint upon the church to which he belongs. It matters not whether this suspicion be erroneous or groundless, the injury inflicted upon the Church is real; for its former friends are led thereby to withhold their countenance, and its enemies rejoice and shout aloud in mockery and scorn.

That the clergy of the Church of England yet possess a considerable portion of influence in society, is a fact not to be doubted; and there is as little doubt that the influence of their various opponents has increased, and is yet augmenting. Which are eventually to predominate, will depend upon the zeal, energy, and ability, called into action on either side. Let it, in the mean while, be kept in remembrance, by all who have not learned to despise the lessons recorded in history, that this is not the first time in which the Church of England has had to struggle for its existence. The reigns of Elizabeth, and James, and Charles the First, (particularly the latter,) furnish us with a prototype of our own times, which is often absolutely startling. There we find the fanatic inflated with spiritual pride, denouncing all but his own sect, and disseminating tracts in every house and cottage, to warn men against the dangers of mere morality, and instruct them how alone they may be saved. We have the reckless Church and King man-the thoughtless Cavalier, who, lest he should be suspected of a tendency towards the "New Lights," and of being "righteous overmuch," makes an ostentatious shew of liberty of conscience, and often abandons himself to dissipation and pleasure, for which, perchance, he has really little inclination. There we find the High Church dignitary endeavouring to dispel certain suspicions of subserviency, by a strict attention to outward forms and ceremonies. New churches are consecrated, and those

+ Idem, chap. ii, v. 5.