The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-11-24
| CONCLUDED.

we CoIHe aS a part Ol TIE SnTlSllan
household to tell you what God has done
for us. Here, as has been well remarked,
is our Jerusalem, and we come to make
our report to the Apostles and brethren
and not only so, but to talk with you a.
bout the future, and devise ways and
means for more successfully accomplish
ing the great work committed to us by our
divine Master and Head.
Ours has indeed been one continued
warfare. We were left in the midst of
those whose chief desire was to destroy
the Church of God. We had not for years
the family in its integrity,-we were left
as children without the protecting care of
father. To the Society whose anniver-
sary We celebrate this day we owe our
existence. Without its aid we must have
perishcd in the wilderness. Its fostering
care kept the members of the Christian
household from spiritual death. until God,
in His good providence, sent earthly par
ents and rulers clothed with authority, TO
guide, direct, and comfort them in the
midst of those who are bent upon their
destruction. Under all the circumstances
considering the bitter political feelings
which grew out of the separation from the
mother land, and which were in great
degree directed against the Church, and
al time when there was no chief shep-
herd to watch over the flock, the wonder
is that the Church has any life or influence.
These difficulties had to be met with firm
ness, prudence, aud steady reliance upon
the promises of its divine Head. They
were met and with no other weapon but
the Word of God thousands have been
peacably conquered and made the willing
servants of God. In 1885 we numbered
but ten or twelve bishops and 500 clergy
men. Now we have thirty-two bishops
at home and abroad, and 900 pastors
Our Church and congregations are rapid.
ly increasing in every diocese, and we can
not keep peace with the demand for pas
tors.
| Countries, where few years since no
sound was heard but war-whoop of the
savage and his fearful yells in his midnight
revelries, when exulting overhis triumphs,
now is heard the song of peace and sal
vation. And in this glorious work we
have not been alone. You have sent to
our aid in those distant regions part of
the Church in its integrity. We have
now fellow-labores and fellow-apostles with
sci in the work of our common Lord
We are often only separated in our labors
by little stream, and this is our safety for
our future peace and comfort. But this
cannot separate us in affection-and ocean
cannot therein separated us-as long as
| the little stream marks out the boundaries
of our efforts, so long will we act in con-
cert, and keep the members Of the family
in harmony and love. But if the little
stream be crossed, and we interfere with
the internal regulations of the part of the
family committed to your care, then there
will be strife and contention. Aud why
should this be so-for we be brethen.
And what opportunities are now pres
ented to us all! God has opened, and is
opening, our way to every land. We have
language common TO us all, which we
believe will be the language of the whole
world. The people of your nation and Of
our nation are going into all lands, car
rying with them the Gospel Of Jesus, and
the vehicle through which we can here.
after reach the darkest and most benighted
nations Of the earth. The islands of the
sea will, sooner or later, come nnder our
control, and now we can see the time rap
idly approaching when the continents of
the earth also will eagerly seek the truth
as it is in Jesus. 1t is the time, then, for
you, iii the work assigned 10 the Church
in England, to impress her own character
upon every nation and people under her
control. Whatever, then, inayabefall her
distant possessions, she will leave behind
her the richest fall blessings the Church
of God. 1t IS the great binding link be-
tween herself and her children through
out the world. And we think we can say
with safety, that the separation ofppy own
country from the mother land, was hast
ened ON account of the wanisof this tie.
But every fear, I trust, will be removed
by the kind interchanges of brotherly
Infection which this happy meeting has
called forth. Oh! il has been goodly
time. our hearts have Leen warmed by
the cordial wecomelwhich our dear mother
has given us. We have felt the delicate
tenderness of her affection; and we feel
ready to 60 our again from her bosom,
with her blessing, strengthened for new
conquests. and in the hope that we eau
return again with still richer gains. We
feel willing, | hope, to live aud die for
Christ. And then, again, how glofioiss
the prospect for youl We have had fbp
fu ure kf0ught before US and descsibeJ
with the burning zeal Of an apostie.<
Our hearts have kindied into raptufe AZ