Star.
London, England, 1831-05-30 00:00:00

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THE WOHcEsTER VISITATION.

The Annual Visitation of the Rev. F. Ow stow, the
Archdeacon of this Diocese, took place at St. Helen's
Church, in this city, on Tuesday last.
In his charge, the Archdeacon observed that when danger
threatened the church, it became its Ministers to 'peek
A ith faithfulness and sincerity. In this spirit, he ventured
to remind them of the Apostle's injunction to Timothy,
Watch thou in all things." Watchfulness is neces-
sary to be maintained by Ministers at all times, bat
never was et more necessary than now. The danger
to which our church was exposed, in, no common
tins;.. bears a strong resemblance to the danger which
now threatens her. He referred to that period when Puri-
tanism obtained a temporary triumph over the Church of
England. The same spirit was then manifested, the same
,ts to excite the people were employed ; the same invec-
tives against the clergy ; the same attempts to seize on the
ley( flues of the church, under pretext of relieving the peo-
ple from burdens ; and the same endeavour to alter her
services. This attack does not merely arise from avowed
enemies, nor from the ignorant, but from many who
serve her altars. Such persons are sincere in their at-
tachment to the church, :vet strange as it appears, they en-
gage in measures, however good their intention, which
might lead to evils more fearful than those they would
remove. This vigorous opposition has appeared in all
ages of the church. Scarcely had it taken root, when it
was assailed by a variety of errors. This was permitted for
a season; at the sera of the reformation, the darkness was
dispelled, and the light shone forth in its splendour. Then
the church was established on a solid foundation ; yet she
had to contend for civil privileges. It was not till the glori-
ous revolution that our deliverance was completed ; from that
time the Church of England has partaken of the security of
the state. Not actuated by lust of power, by love of no-
velty, or the principle of political expediency, the great
principle which actuated her, was to establish a pure and
tolerant religion, and that connexion of church and state,
which he hoped would never be dissolved. The church, con-
sidered as part of the state, was exposed to peculiar dangers,
from false friends, and avowed foes, who wished to destroy
all ecclesiastical establishments.
She has hitherto stood by the purity of her doctrines and
the mildness of her principles. Bat we are not to be lulled
into security by the triumphs the Church has obtained ;
conflict is not at an end, as long as infidel publications
abound, and it is attempted to deprive her of her property,
or to alter her services and Liturgy. The infidels of these
days are of the lowest grade in society, but they have thus
the means of spreading their sentiments with the greater
facility. It is a melancholy fact, that in the metropolis con-
tributions are raised, under the infidel leaders, to disseminate
their ruinous sentiments. The society for promoting chris-
tian knowledge has devoted a large sum to meet this evil,by
disseminating works of an opposite tendency.
The same vigilance should be manifested to maintain the
old established revenues of the Church. One of the mea-

sures proposed in the late Parliament had a reference to the
abolition of tithes, and to pay the clergy in some other way.
It has been insinuated that the tithe system is oppressive,
and injurious to agriculture. Is it probable that if tithes
were abolished, separatists from the church would look with
a less envious eye ? He was of opinion, that if tithes were
removed, they would be more successful in making converts
from our church, and destroying the connexion between the
people and their clergy. Why, then, is the system that has
existed for ages, and has the sanction of the Bible, to give
place to some new system ? Let the clergy look vigilantly,
lest, by some new system, they should become a prey to some
abandoned Ministry.
Nor must the clergy be less vigilant in regard to attacks
on character. They must walk so circunibpectly, that their
good be not evil spoken of; so as to make it evident that
they do not seek personal interest, but in simplicity and sin-
cerity preach the Gospel of the Redeemer. It was a part
of the system of the enemies of the church, to seek to lower
the clergy in the estimation of the people, by charging them
with pride, a worldly selfish spirit, incapacity, or idleness.
This is no new charge. Bishop Gibson, in his charge, in
1746, alludes to the same insinuations.

These things are harbingers of a storm. Our vigilance
must result from a deep sense of the awful responsibility of
the Ministerial office ; and must display itself in a diligent
discharge of Ministerial duties. Knowing "we have this
treasure in earthen vessels," we must watch against those
imperfections in our temper and conduct, which our enemies
will not overlook nor spare. Watch against the projected al-
terations in the Liturgy and services of the church. He did
not pretend to say that our service is perfect, nor that some
alterations might not be made with advantage. Imperfec-
tion cleaves to all human performances, and a Protestant
Church must be prepared to make such alterations as may
appear desirable. But let such alteration be made with
gravity, and on sufficient grounds. As it would be a weak-
ness in any individual to change his sentiments, and adopt
those of the last person be conversed with, so it would be
disgraceful to the church to follow the suggestions of every
innovator.

Whatever be the progress of intellectual attainments in
this day, no individual can be found possessed of more solid
wisdom, more sterling integrity, more consummate pru-
dence, or unblemished purity, than the Reformers of the
Church. If, in leaving the Church of Rome, we have
approached nearer to the Apostolic standard, let us take
heed that we lose not our advantages by grasping after
shadows.

Much has been said about our Ecclesiastical Courts.
Indeed, the rule and authority of these Courts are so little
known, so dark and contradictory, that reform is wanted.
The committee appointed to investigate the matter, is con-
stituted of men of such experience, integrity, and wisdom,
that he doubted not, good would be the result. Let us not
consent to any innovations, the poeitive good of which cannot
be seen. Let us shew ourselves active in the discharge of
our sacred and all-important duties.

EnucAztorr.—A scheme is at this moment in operation
in France, to afford the means of useful and improving
reading to the whole body of the -working population of
France, by placing a public library in every one of the
40,000 communes (or parishes) into which the kingdom is
divided. Unlike similar national institutions—which have
hitherto, much to its credit, been the work of Government
—the plan in question is to be accomplished by individual
philanthropy. A capital is to be created by subscription,
divided in shares of the moderate sum of fifteen francs (or
12s). Each library is to consist, at the commencement of
200 volumes, printed expressly for the society, of dimen-
sions, and upon a paper, such that the collection, with il-
lustrative maps and plates, may coat only 300 francs (or
121.) Thus 20 shares sullice to purchase a library. One
person may subscribe for any number of shares ; and as the
society may not be completed to its full extent at first, the
holder or holders of 20 shares have a right to nominate a
commune, which AO, in the first instance, have the right'
conferred on it. fthe books are to consist of the best ele-
mentary works on, the arts, sciences, and literature, history,
biography, poetry;' and other subjects, selected by a com-
mittee at Paris, by whom the affairs of thwinstitution are to
be conducted, under responsibility to the subscribers.