554 WHAT OUGHT TO BE DONE FOR THE CHURCH ? 



who represent them as unwilling to co-operate in any way which might 

 least promote the spiritual welfare of mankind, do them an injustice. 



But further, it may be added, the service required to be performed on 

 these occasions would not need to be altogether without reward ; in 

 some cases it might be free, but in others a limited remuneration to the 

 officiating party could be afforded; and, indeed, would be given most 

 readily ; and that which was humble in its beginning would probably, in 

 many instances, grow into importance, and be able to make provision for 

 the maintenance of a clergyman, as well as to erect a church in which 

 to perform divine service for the accommodation of the public. Why 

 may not the Established accomplish what has often been achieved by 

 other sects ? who have been known to begin to worship in a small 

 room, in a populous village ; and, starting at this point, have preached 

 until at length a neat, or even an elegant, meeting-house, with a resident 

 preacher and a numerous congregation, have been raised, and the whole 

 of the inhabitants alienated from the church. Now, had the church 

 been unfettered, as we would have it, her friends might in such places 

 have done all that the Dissenters have effected, and instead of a ehapel> 

 there would have been a church, a clergyman, and a people worshipping 

 the Almighty in union with the venerable establishment of this country. 

 We cannot help repeating that the church is not equitably dealt with 

 she is tied up just as she was a century ago, when the Dissenters and 

 Catholics laboured under so many restrictions, all of which have been 

 removed ; and they can now go every where, and do every thing they 

 choose, in behalf of their party. But if the legislature will make no 

 changes for the benefit of the church, we cannot but indulge the hope 

 that her bishops> in the plenitude of their authority, might assist her in 

 some degree, by granting dispensation. We are not much conversant 

 with ecclesiastical law, but it strikes us, as highly probable, that those 

 invested with episcopal power must have a discretionary licence, respecting 

 some things, which might be advantageously exercised under present 

 circumstances. We are not the advocates of irregularity and disorder ; 

 at the same time we cannot be insensible that there are, also, conse- 

 quences which follow a stiff antiquated deportment, which are, perhaps* 

 equally undesirable. The present is an age of enterprise in regard to 

 religion, as well as in other matters, the spirit of which must either be 

 partaken of by the church, or her influence will be abolished and her 

 numbers diminished, notwithstanding the excellencies of her constitution 

 and liturgy. There is a feeling abroad that the inhabitants of the whole 

 nation ought to be instructed, especially in religion : and the people 

 themselves are becoming of that opinion ; and, unless the establishment 

 stir up herself, the busy intrusive spirit which pervades the Dissenters 

 will lead them into every corner of the land, and the population naturally 

 falling into the hands which first take hold of it, will, of course, be 

 transferred into the ranks of those who have left the church. Church- 

 men may speak against this, and write against it too, but the effect will 

 be the same ; for the people will, as soon as they begin to think, con- 

 trast the merit of them by the church, with the attention of the sects to 

 their interest, and, comparing the conduct of both with the example of 

 him who " went about doing good," it is easy to say in whom they will 



