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a religion, in which the Deity is represented, not as a stern and 
inflexible tyrant, delighting in the sufferings of his slaves; but as 
a kind and compassionate parent, who rejoices in the happiness of 
his offspring; in which human life is represented, not as a state of 
servitude, but as a state of discipline; in which the Almighty does 
not address himself to man in the accents of terror, but speaks to 
him in the same consolatory voice in which he once proclaimed 
himself to his chosen people of old, “ The Lord, the Lord God- 
merciful and gracious, long suffering, abundant in goodness and 
truth.” * 
These illustrations form an excellent answer to the queries put, 
thirty years ago, by Bishop Watson, when Archdeacon of Ely, to 
the clergy of that diocese; and seem such a fulfilment to the 
almost prophetical spirit in which he then delivered the following 
part of his charge, as must afford a high gratification to that vene- 
rable prelate, whose life has been preserved to witness the light of 
truth dispelling pagan darkness; and withdrawing the veil from 
the traditional fables, and erroneous data of the Hindoo chro- 
nology. 
“ To men whose minds are chained to the earth by the sordid 
pursuits of wealth, or the empty ones of ambition; who are debi- 
litated by sensual pleasure, or rendered torpid to every arduous 
exertion, by habitual inactivity; who, unconscious of its import- 
ance, fritter away this short period of existence in a frivolous at- 
tention to trivial concerns; in a slavish subserviency to the uniform 
'* Carwithen’s Lectures, 
