He will remember, as having enjoyed the liberty himself, that in the words of one whose name is warmly cherished in this place, ‘the independent and quasi episcopal position of the rector is one of the most blessed safeguards of the Church of England’ (Kingsley’s Life, ii. 80): but he will also remember that a wise and tolerant rule is quite consistent with personal and official fidelity.
He will remember too, aye, he will never be ashamed of confessing those great evangelical doctrines which have ever been the joy and strength of his ministry.
It is the fashion with some to sneer at those doctrines, as belonging to a byegone age, as the fossil remains of an era, when light was scanty and intelligence rare.
Brethren, there were giants in those days. Are we quite sure that there are any giants now?
If it be indeed a mark of narrow-mindedness to aim in all our teaching at the exaltation of the Saviour; if it be a mark of narrow-mindedness to preach the universality of human corruption, the absolute perfection of the redemptive work of Christ, and the regenerating power of the Holy Ghost; then must we plead guilty to the charge.
But may not the caution addressed by Bishop Horsley to his clergy upon the subject of Calvinism be applicable with slight change in these modern days? ‘Take care before you aim your shafts at’ Evangelical Churchmanship, ‘that you know what it is, and what it is not . . . lest when you mean only to fall foul of a human system, you should unwarily attack something more sacred and of higher origin.’ (Horsley’s Charges, p. 226.)
We think we find our doctrines in the formularies of the Church of England; we think we find them in the writings of our Reformers; we think we find them in the records of primitive antiquity; we think we find them in the Word of God. We lay no claim to infallibility, but we claim a right to be true to our convictions. We have tasted the old; we have examined the new; and we say from the very bottom of our hearts, ‘The old in better.’
It in on behalf of such a ministry that we ask your prayers.
In these difficult days, when questions of the most perplexing kind are springing up on every side, and when the demands made upon a bishop’s energies are of a most exhaustive character, the bravest might well shrink from entering upon so great a charge. But we serve a loving and considerate Master. The burden may indeed be heavy to bear, but He who lays it upon His servant will assuredly give him strength to bear it; and bear it we believe he will, untiring, unresting in his work, until the dying echoes of this day’s service give place to the blessed, joyous welcome. ‘Well done, good and faithful servant, . . . enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’