tian hearts. The sunlight of its splendour is the ra diance which is reflected upon its Christian spires. The anchors that have moored your island, and preserved it immovable, are the deep roots of old Cathedrals. And the armament that keeps its virgin shore unsullied is the squadron that conveys to distant lands your missionary enterprise. Be these your arts, my friends, be these your arms! Cling to your fathers' Church, cling to your fathers' God! Increase your folds! Multiply your pastors! Gather in your scattered sheep! Compass the earth with your Colonial bishoprics! This is the strength which will procure no enmity. This is the glory which will provoke no war. It is the strength in which humanity itself shall be made strong. It is the glory which shall overflow and bless the world. The strife shall then be, not for personal aggrandizement, but for new empires to the Cross. The end and aim of such an emulation, the bringing on of that most blessed day, when all the kingdoms of the world shall be "the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ." In this most gracious and most glorious work it is your privilege, my brethren, to unite, this day. This noblest trophy of our age to the great cause of Catholic truth and love is reared by individual efforts. Private hearts have planned, and private hands have reared, this temple, to the worship, in your fathers' faith, and through your fathers' prayers, of your own fathers' God. They have done so in that lofty faith, which, when it sees the end, trusts that the means will come. It is from your hearts and through your hands that God this day will vindicate, to them who trust in Him, His own most gracious word. Open wide your bosoms, to the sway of that most gracious Spirit, of whose countless gifts the best and most illustrious is charity. Prove that the fathers' blood still circles in the children's veins. Prove that the fathers' spirit still inspires the children's hearts. Prove, by your free and liberal contributions, that you are not of those who would desire to serve the Lord with that which costs you nothing; but that, having given up, first, your own selves to the Lord, your chief delight and highest glory is, to heap His altar with your treasures, and to pour your hearts out at His cross. Brethren, beloved in the Lord, this is the first, this is the last, time of my ministry among you. Shortly, a thousand leagues of sea will roll between us. Blessed be God, the circle of the whole earth cannot divide the faithful hearts which have been knit in Christian love. Blessed be God, the communion of saints takes in both worlds; and, joining each to every other, joins all to God. Never, while a pulse shall sway the native currents in my breast, shall this day be forgotten. Often, as I shall sit among the loved ones of my house, or shall go in and out among the flocks, of which the Holy Ghost has made me overseer, this solemn scene the holy temple, the mighty congregation, the company of white-robed priests,* those bishops, venerable and beloved, the sacred services, the unearthly music, every incident and circumstance, and every deepest feeling *The attending clergy were all in surplices. that was touched and stirred-shall rise before the vision of my soul. Never, without the heartfelt prayer : "Peace be within thy walls, and plenteousness within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sake, I will wish thee prosperity. Yea, because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek to do thee good." Grant it, God of our salvation, for Thy mercy's sake in Jesus Christ and to Thee, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, shall be ascribed the glory and the praise, now and for evermore. Amen. * SERMON III. THE GLORIOUS THINGS OF THE CITY OF GOD. PSALM LXXXVII. 1, 2.-Her foundations are upon the holy hills; the Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O City of God. THESE lines of ancient prophecy pourtray in fewest words the splendid fortunes of the Church of God. "Her foundations are upon the holy hills." She stands immovable in strength. For her stability, omnipotence is pledged to holiness-" The Lord loveth the gates of Sion more than all the dwellings of Jacob." Is it not written of her, "the Church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood? "+ And again, "Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it? "‡— "Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God." * The first sermon in St. Mary's Church, Burlington, "after a brief pilgrimage to the Church of England," September 26, A. D. 1841. Dedicated to Sir Robert Harry Inglis, Bart., M.P., D.C.L., the Christian Scholar, the Christian Gentleman, the Christian Statesman; beside whose hospitable hearth my feet first found an English home; whose cordial hand grasped my first welcome to my father-land; whose radiant smile cheered me through England, and still lingers on my western way; this thankful recognition of God's abundant blessings on that glorious Church, in the long line of whose illustrious laity, he stands, among the foremost, first; is now inscribed, as justly as sincerely, by his affectionate and faithful friend, the Bishop of New Jersey." + Acts xx. 28. Ephesians v. 25. It is the very word which the Apostle uses, to describe the motive to that gracious purchase. "That He might present it to Himself, a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish."* Gracious Lover of our souls, who, when no other price was equal to the ransom, didst give Thyself for our redemption, make us, we beseech Thee, meet to be-what thou hast made us-Thine! 66 GLORIOUS THINGS ARE SPOKEN OF THEE, O CITY OF GOD!" Unfold the scroll of prophecy, and mark the splendours which they throw upon its radiant page. Hear, how the Psalmist, on "the height of this great argument," transcends his loftiest strain. + What other subject wakes such notes of triumph from Isaiah's sounding strings? And, when Ezekiel, § Micah, | Haggai,¶Zechariah,** Malachi,++ attain to an unwonted rapture, it is the coming glory of Messiah's kingdom that fills and fires their songs. "GLORIOUS THINGS ARE SPOKEN OF THEE, O CITY OF GOD!" What page of history studded so thick with triumphs, as that which chronicles the acts of the Apostles? Twelve men, publicans and fishermen, encompassing the world, and setting up the Cross, on which their Master perished, on its temples and its towers! A tent-maker at Tarsus, more than an overmatch for the philosophy of Athens, and the elo * Ephesians v. 27. For example, Psalms xlv. xlviii. lxxii. cxxii. |