You sign your place and calling, in full seeming
With meekness and humility; but your heart
Is crammed with arrogancy, spleen, and pride.
CHAPTER XV.
Our Memoirs are now drawing towards their close, for although numerous recollections yet remain, they are rather of a miscellaneous and desultory kind, consisting more of detached remarks and local anecdotes, than of any regular and consistent narrative. Such parts of these shall be selected and introduced, as appear best calculated to excite interest, or promote entertainment.
To whom the following “Recollection” can apply, the editor has not the remotest conception, but that the portrait was drawn from nature, is evinced by the strength of the outline, the force of the colouring, and the general appearance as a whole.
A Christian Bishop!—Much veneration has in various parts of these Recollections been expressed for individuals filling this high and important office, expressed too with an honest warmth, resulting from a near contemplation, and personal experience of their virtues. What ought the characteristics of a Christian Bishop to be? Firmness—learning—charity—general benevolence—meekness—disposition to forgive injuries—spirit of reconciliation—a love of peace, and desire to ensue it.
Great and amiable qualities truly! Yet a Bishop did once present himself in the progress of a literary life, who had not quite all these peculiarly honourable distinctions. Firmness he had, if that term can in justice be applied to him, who is tenax propositi—right or wrong. The distinction of learning must be allowed him, without any qualification of any kind. As to the rest—charity—general benevolence—meekness—disposition to forgive injuries—spirit of reconciliation—love of peace—desire to ensue it—a little reflection is necessary before the claim to these qualities can be conceded.
Is it a proof of charity, or benevolence, or meekness, to provoke a large body of united individuals by anonymous insinuations and attacks, which there was a compulsory obligation subsequently to retract and disavow?