THE FOLLOWING HISTORY OF THE
Cathedral Church
IS (BY HIS KIND PERMISSION) RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,
BY
HIS MOST OBEDIENT SERVANT,
THE PUBLISHER.
A VISIT TO THE CATHEDRAL.
When we reflect upon the momentous and happy results which have always followed the introduction of Christianity amongst a people;—how it has ever proved an up-lifting and progressive power; influencing man in the holiest affections and most inward laws of his moral being; extending its benign agency through all the relationships of social life, and acting in various methods as a living principle in the community;—we think that in ascribing to our religious history a deeper significance and importance than appertains to any other department of inquiry, we are only claiming for it a position which may be established by a wide induction of facts.
The condition of a nation, socially and politically, is to a great extent decided by the character of its religious teaching and worship. The history of our own country, and that of every other in the world, affords many striking illustrations of the fact. Many instances might be quoted where the connection is remarkably verified, and we venture to ascribe the proud position of England mainly to the operation of its Christian faith.
The churches of Britain were the outbirths of its religious life. They were reared by the earnest piety of our forefathers. Their history presents an inviting sphere of investigation, from the valuable aid they furnish, in tracing the successive incidents and onward development of Christianity; which soon after its first promulgation, diffused a welcome light over the Pagan darkness, which enveloped the primeval inhabitants of our country.