CHARGES, &c. ADDRESS TO CANDIDATES FOR HOLY ORDERS. MY CHRISTIAN BRETHREN, AFTER the satisfactory examination which you have respectively passed before the Archdeacon, your subscription to 1828. the Articles of the Church, and your declaration of true and undivided allegiance to the King, it might seem improper in me to detain you for a moment from those solemn reflections, which must be now pressing with so much weight upon your minds, and from that secret communion which you will hold with your own hearts, and with God in prayer, preparatory to the Service of the ensuing day. Exod. xl. 12, 13. In that Service the duties, the difficulties, and the awfulness of the ministerial office are exhibited in the words of Holy Scripture, or agreeably to the same and I would take this opportunity of recommending in the strongest manner to each of you a stated recurrence to this service, at least on every anniversary of your ordination, as to a : B documentary evidence of promises made by you Consult "Archbishop before God and your brethren, Secker's Instructions to Candidates for Or- a test of past faithfulness, and a scribing the Articles." guide for your future conduct. ders after their sub Comprehensive, however, and affecting as this service is, it neither enters into all the particulars of a Clergyman's duty, nor touches on several matters which are highly important in their effects, though too familiar to be made the subject of a public address: it states, generally, what a Christian minister ought to be in spirit and in practice, but leaves the regulation of his conduct under peculiar circumstances of time and place to his own prudence, aided by the suggestions of his ecclesiastical Superiors. At all times, and in all places, it is required of the spiritual steward, that he "be found faithful;" yet must he, in the discreet and conciliatory spirit of the Apostle, strive with the help of God's grace, and without any compromise of principle, to "be all things to all men, that he may 1 Cor. iv. 1-5. ix. 19-23. x. 33. Ezek. iii. 17–21. by all means save some1.' He that 1 "As men are to be dealt with after that manner, as may best serve to reclaim them, I shall use all the proper ways I can think of to bring about that end. In my reproofs I will humble myself to the lofty and great; be sharp to the presumptuous; meek, gentle, and full of entreaty (as there is occasion) to all; and I hope, that when men see I am purely disinterested from any worldly consideration whatever, and rebuke them principally to win them to piety and eternal glory, they will not take it ill, but close in with my entreaties, and be reformed."-Parochial would succeed in his ministry, must acquaint himself with the state and temper of his parish, and be content to feel his way before he ventures on any important measure; must labour to win the affections of his parishioners before he admonishes them; must be scrupulously attentive to the discharge of his own duties, that he may the more confidently press upon his flock the performance of theirs must watch his opportunity, that he may be heard the more gladly; must yield in trifles, that he may carry greater matters: must neither needlessly offend the prejudices of his people, nor unjustifiably encourage them in their errors must point out their faults with tenderness; instruct their ignorance with patience; tend on them in their afflictions with affectionate solicitude; and ever in his visits among them shew that interest in their temporal concerns, which may enable him to exert a salutary influence over them in things spiritual. Pasturage, by a Presbyter of the Church of England, in a letter to his friend, 1722. p. 38-a scarce but valuable treatise on the Pastoral Office; and, though somewhat homely and antiquated in style, and deficient, it may be, occasionally in theological precision, and requiring caution in the application of some of its rules, yet well worthy of being more generally known and consulted by the younger Clergy. "Let not the reverence of any man cause you to sin against God: but in the matter of souls, being well advised, be bold and confident; but abate nothing of the honour of God, or the just measures of your duty to satisfy the importunity of any man whatever,— and God will bear you out."-Bp. Taylor's "Advice to his Clergy." The Diocese in which your ministry will be exercised, is divided into so many and distant portions, that in no one Colony can any very numerous body of Clergy be collected and even under the most favourable circumstances, the nature of the climate, the badness of the roads, and the want of proper conveyance will prevent that frequent and unrestrained personal communication with members of your own profession, which must ever add so materially to a Clergyman's own comfort, and by the mutual interchange of pastoral experience, advance the cause of religion among his people. Much must consequently be left to your own discretion; and you will have need to pray fervently for God's Spirit to be with you, and to consult diligently the Scriptures and the writings of our most approved Divines, and to apply carefully to the Rubrics and Canons of your Church, for direction in the discharge of your ministerial duties. Wherever your station may be, you can neither expect much society, nor conscientiously engage in it. Your chief acquaintance should be the flock, which you are bound to feed'. A Clergy 1 "The peasants of your parish are in many respects the properest company you can keep. You will not mingle with their pleasures and diversions; but the good Pastor will often find leisure to enter their houses and cottages, and see and hear what they are about; and in this duty he will find amusement."Gilpin's Dialogues on the Amusements of Clergymen. |