I desire to take my full share of blame. But I do believe I am speaking the truth. It is no use trying to evade the truth on this subject. I fear that, as a general rule, the evangelical ministry in England has fallen far below the standard of the eighteenth century, and that the simple account of the want of success to which so many point is, the low standard both of doctrine and life which prevails. Ease and popularity, and the absence of persecution, are ruinous to some.
Political questions eat out the vitality of others.
An extravagant and excessive attention to the petty details of parish machinery withers up the ministry of others. A desire to seem charitable and liberal, and keep in with everybody, paralyses the ministry of others. The plague is abroad. We want a revival among evangelical ministers. Once let the evangelical ministry of England return to the ways of the last century, and I firmly believe we should have as much success as before.