verfive of all religion, and strike at the root of the very purpose for which ecclefiaftical eftablishments are inftituted. Until fome more eligible method of supporting the Clergy is devised and adopted by the Legislature, it remains the duty of every Clergyman to endeavour to obviate the evils attending that which (kk) now fubfifts. But kindness on the part of a Clergyman in confulting, even at fome lofs to himself, the convenience of his parishioners in the management of his tithes; and that

(kk) The following extract from Dr. Aikin's defcription of the country round Manchester, 1795, 4to. p. 220, points out a defect in the mode of providing, in certain circumstances, for the fupport of Clergymen, which is worthy of notice, and feems capable of being eafily remedied. "The advance of population in the parish of "Eccles has been attended with a due care respecting "public worship, and the religious education of children. "Two new chapels of eafe have been built fince the 66 year 1775 at Pendleton and Swinton, with competent "falaries for the Clergymen from feat-rents. In this "mode of providing the Minifter's ftipend in new-erected "churches and chapels there does not appear a fufficient "recollection of the decreasing value of money; or a re"quifite provifion to obviate its effects by a clause in the "Confecration Deeds to authorise a proper advance of the "stipend, as circumftances may require, by the directio "of the Bishop, or otherwise."

cautious moderation in his demands (W), which not only implies a mind untainted by avarice, but a folicitude likewife to make every reasonable facrifice rather than to have the sphere of usefulness narrowed by diffenfions, is by no means always fufficient to fecure him from the neceffity of conteft. The rights which are invaded or withheld may be of fo much importance to himfelf; and alfo to his fucceffors, for whom he is bound to regard himself as in fome respects a trustee; that he may be obliged in confcience to defend or reclaim them, at the rifk, or even with the certainty, of confiderable expence. He fhould abftain however from making any demand, until he has laid the matter before able advifers, and has fufficient ground to be fatisfied that it is just and reasonable. And in endeavouring to attain his object, let him try the effect of private reprefentations to individuals; of public difcuffion with the parties affem

(1) It is justly alleged "as a proof of the general moderation of the Clergy on the fubject of tithes, that of feven hundred fuits on account of tithes brought by them into the Court of Exchequer from the year 1660 to 1713, fix hundred were decided in their favour. Secker's Charges, p. 129.

bled;

bled; of proposals of referring the matter to arbitration; in fhort, of every method, rather than of law. If compelled to apply to a Court of Juftice as his laft refource, let him ftill be careful to retain a kind and Christian temper towards all his opponents, and to make due allowances for prejudices and illiberality refulting from ignorance, ftupidity, and fulpicion. In every period of the fuit let him be ready to offer and to embrace fair plans of accommodation. And if the ftruggle is at length terminated by a judicial decifion, let him not be improperly elated by fuccefs, nor depreffed and foured by difappointment,

Coldnefs and diflike are sometimes found to fubfift between a Clergyman and fuch of his parishioners as diffent from the established church. It is the part of the former to beware left any portion of it should arife from faulty difpofitions or conduct of his own. He will remember that the Bible is open to every Christian; that thofe who differ from him in religious opinions have an unqueftionable right to judge for themselves; and that

"to their own mafter they ftand or fall." Mindful that he is himself continually liable to decide amifs, and abhorring all tyranny over the confciences of men; yet neglecting no fit opportunities of pointing out with modeft franknefs, to all whom he deems in error, whatever he thinks materially wrong in their faith and practice; he will be " gentle

unto all men (mm), in meekness instructing "those that oppose themselves;" and resortIng to that most effectual method of preventing those under his care from falling off to other fects, zealous induftry in the discharge of his profeffional duties of every kind, he will cherish in his own breast, and strive to diffuse

(mm) 2 Tim. ii. 24, 25.

The truly Christian spirit exhibited in the following paffage of Archbishop Secker's Oratio Synodalis, p. 365, cannot be fufficiently applauded and inculcated. "Palam "faciamus nos in omnes utcunque diverfa fentientes be❝nevolè animatos effe, ut quidem fumus. Quotufquifque "enim eft nostrûm, quin hanc rem fic fecum reputet? "Errat quifpiam? Mirum ni et ego: fed aut vocabulo "tantùm, aut fi re, innoxiè. Errat vehementèr; fed non "continuò eft hæreticus. Hæreticus eft: fed Chriftianus "tamèn. Nè Chriftianus quidem: fed homo faltem. "Homo malus forfitàn: fed qui poterit in melius mutari, "Fac denique non poffe; Deus vindicabit."

among

among Christians of all persuasions, a spirit of peace, harmony, and brotherly love. If he fhould chance to be treated by diffenters of any denomination with contempt, afperity, and the fournefs of prejudice; let him not be drawn into the fatal mistake of conceiving that evil paffions in others will vindicate animofity or a want of benevolent feelings on his part. By unfeigned, unoftentatious, and uniform mildnefs of temper and complacency of behaviour, let him conftrain those who differ from him to confefs, whatever they may think of his doctrinal opinions, that he has imbibed from the Gospel the fpirit of a Christian.

The foregoing statement of the various duties of a parochial Minifter clearly implies the general obligation of refidence. Habitual refidence on the spot is effential to his being able effectually to perform them. He who grafps at the revenue of a benefice, and ftudies to evade the personal discharge of the various functions which that revenue is intended to reward, and the performance of those momentous duties to God and man, which by accepting the living he has undertaken, evinces either

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