The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-09-26

of the gospel system. While positive IL
his beliefs regarding church order, his
temper was most admirable in dealing
with the variant practice of other Chris
tian believers. He honored them fol
their fidelity to the great cardinal doc
trincs in which there was common
agreement. lie earnestly desired unity
SO far as it might be attained without
the sacrifice of anything essential. l re-
member Il long and interesting converse
ton with the hop on this topic at the
time of his last visitation to this parish.
IT. was evidently a subject near his heart.
OF few could it be as empnatically
said AS of Bishop Lay, that his loss is a
loss to the whole church. He realized
that lie was not only the Bishop of 4
| Diocese. but, in common with his breth-
rem in the episcopate, a guardian of the
| interests of the church Throughout tine
land. lie was wise Christian states
man. lie kept in mind the problems
| which we, rs American Churchmeu, have
to solve. While thoroughly conservative
| in his instincts, his was no blind conser-
yatism. His gaze was fixed on the future,
as well as on the past and present.
| think it was his remark upon one occa-
sion that ''the church ought to be plan
ming to day for half century ahead"
| The matter of more effective discipline
i'll the church was one that engaged his
interest. He occupied a position on two
of the most important committees of the
| General Convention within recent years
that on the dictionary, and on Prayer
| Book Enrichment; and We may well be-
| lieve that toward the valuable results
! that owe their origin largely to these
| Committees he contributed in no small
measure. How great the gain in the
case of the Revised Lectiouary, in the
| provision of lessons from the opening
chapters of the Book of Revelation, con
tanning the Epistles to the seven churches,
for the Advent season, and Of special
lessons for many of the Holy days, with
more appropriate First Lessons for the
days in Passion Week that precede Good
Friday. That many of the proposed
changes i'll the line OF enrichment and
ilexibility, in the Prayer Book, adopted
by the last General Convention and to be
passed upon by the convention of 1886,
are a decided gain would be very gener-
ally admitted; and there is little doubt
that in large measure the work of the
committee will receive the ultimate
approval of the General Church.
10y w lSiuluS Guc peu Vi Iue Teduy
writer he was able to render valuable
service, in furnishing popular explana-
lions of the churcE'S features, meeting
objections in friendly way. and in pro
viding matter suited more especially to
the needs of the chureh's members,
whether we have in mind his ''Studies
in the Church, or his more recent work
bearing on Confirmation Ready and De-
- with u,b
familiar. His style was eminently
suggestive, sympathetic, practical and
helpful.
4 preacher, need not say, Bishop
Lay stood among the foremost. There
was 10 lack in respect of weighty mat
ter. His style was characterized by
simplicity, force, a marked grace and
beauty of diction, and along with it all,
an utter unconsciousness of self that be-
fitted the ambassador of God No one
could doubt his high intellectual gifts
His address to the Diocesan Conven-
ton two years ago, in which the special
theme of the Continuity of Law" found
treatment, furnishes an instance in
point.
would speak last of that which was
one of the most marked traits in the
Bishops character, his sympathy, and it
is natural that should dwell upon it as
manifested towards his clergy, his as
sociates and fellow workers. He took to
heart their privaLions, and sought to
tighten the burden where it pressed
heavily. He interested himself in their
intellectual equipment for the most eff
cient discharge of their Office as preach
ers and teachers, but which the limited
means at their disposal might not always
fully ensure. Some day perhaps, a
pleasant surprise would come, in the
shape of a theological work, represent
ing some Of the best thought of the day,
and as a token of the Bishops interested
remembrance of one of his co workers in
the Diocesan field. His touching ap-
pcals from time to time through the
columns of the ChUrchmdn, in behalf of
the aged clergy and their families in the
| interest of the General Clergy Relief
| Fund, will not readily be forgotten.
| Who is left that may plead SO eloquently?
The accents of the familiar voice are
stilled for all earthly time. We shall
| look upon his face no more. But we
| thank God for the precious example, and
for that which lie has wrought in the
church's behalf through His ministering
servant, for the gifts and graces in which
we have shared. Let US lay to heart his
counsels, whether as clergy or people.
| Those who at one time or another have
received at his hands the seal of Contir-
lulation will recall his words of affec-
tionate address and peIsiiaS si3ss % the
faithful performance of holy vows. We
will be freshly melted to seek the pros
perity of the Diocese for which he lab
ored nEsparingly, in the advancement of
its missionary interests, cause for
which he pleaded even from sick bed,
a few months since at the time of our
annual Diocesan Council. We will take
up with zeal and determination the en-
tcrfrise, now doubly pressing, OF provld-
ing suitable and permanent home for
him who shall be called to fill the vacant
Episcopal chair and for those who shall
come after.
May He who is the gracious Shepherd
and Bishop of our souls, the Lord Jesus
| Christ, the Guardian and Guide of His
flock throughout the world, and in all
ages, make himself near to us in this our
day of trial, vouchsafes to us increasingly
the direction of His Spirit, and cause US
| to be 'inheritors of his heavenly
| kingdom with those who have departed
tits life in His faith and fear