176 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP SHARP. 



ness and immorality is a very good one, and 

 deserves all encouragement. And I myself 

 would inspirit all that I converse with, as much 

 as I could, to contribute all their lawful endea- 

 vours towards it in their place and station. But, 

 on the other side, I do not take it to be proper 

 for me, as a clergyman, to take upon me either to 

 erect or to authorize any society for this pur- 

 pose : nor do I think it proper to my function 

 if such societies be set up to do any episcopal 

 act about them (as licensing of preachers is an 

 episcopal act), any more than I think it proper 

 to give orders to my clergy about business that 

 belongs to justices of peace. 



*' The truth is, as the society at Nottingham 

 is constituted, it seems to me, they would re- 

 ceive better directions for the carrying on their 

 work, from the charges that they may hear from 

 the justices of peace at the sessions, than they 

 can from the sermons of the Clergy. 



*' I observe another difference between your 

 society at Nottingham, and those of London, 

 which is a very material one with me. One of 

 the articles which all those who enter into any 

 of these societies in London are bound to sub- 

 scribe to, is this ; that they declare themselves 

 that they are, or will be, of the communion of 

 the Church of England ; that they will frequent 

 the Liturgy ; that they will once a month receive 



