Knowing how highly God submission prizes,-
Pleased with obedience more than sacrifices.
CHRISTOPHER HARVEY.

Nor very long after my arrival at High Kirkstall, and when all things were going on satisfactorily, I lost a very excellent curate, who had been of essential service in the parish; but as the cause of his removal was an appointment to a living, I could not but feel happy at his preferment. I found, however, great difficulty in supplying his place. It has been stated, I believe on good authority, that the number of young clergy ordained is smaller than what are required to supply the annual deaths. When, in addition to the ordinary demand, we take into consideration the new churches built from time to time, very serious apprehension arises whether a sufficient number of clergymen will be found to supply the wants of

U

the Church. The fact is, that the endowments are so small, the labour in many cases so overwhelming, the prospect of honour and emolument so much reduced by the late Cathedral Act, that parents who desire to place their sons in a respectable profession, where they may get an honest living, will no longer educate them for holy orders. Unless, therefore, an enthusiasm, or zeal for the ministry, can be called forth, independent of professional prospects, it is much to be feared that either labourers will be wanting in the vineyard, or that they will gradually deteriorate in point of education and ability.

After a good deal of inquiry and difficulty, I at length heard of a curate who seemed likely to suit me, being strongly recommended for learning and piety, though hitherto he had not been employed beyond the walls of his college. On the arrival of Mr. Monkton, I was pleased with his manner and conversation. He was evidently well read,-possessed, indeed, of much more information than most young men of his age; a little too fond, as it struck me, of bringing his learning forward-but that, perhaps, was to have been expected in one who had but just emerged from the common room. His mind seemed also devoted to his sacred office, and imbued with a deep interest for all things connected with it. I certainly augured well from the first interview, and hoped that he would prove a valuable aid to me in the ministry. The only thing I did not like was his dress, which consisted of

a very long coat, or cassock, hanging down to his heels, with a straight upright collar, and a row of buttons up the front, after the fashion of a Roman Catholic priest. Certainly I would infinitely rather have seen him wear such a dress, than that of the dandy young clergymen whom one sometimes meets, with black or coloured stocks, chains on their waistcoats, smart-fitting boots, and coats in the newest fashion. Mr. Monkton's fault was all on the right side. Still I would have preferred that he had avoided unnecessary peculiarity, and kept to the decent and grave costume which respectable clergymen generally wear. Whatever may be the merit of the abstract question as to the propriety of the clergy wearing a distinctive dress, any change should come from the recommendation of our superiors.

However, this was not the only peculiarity of my new curate. When he began to officiate in the church, he exhibited a more than usual appearance of devotion in his manner. He invariably bowed at the name of Jesus; and on entering the church, or repeating the creed, or approaching the east end, he would bow towards the altar, and cross his breast.1

1 I have had some doubts as to the propriety of introducing circumstances which may seem to point attention to a particular individual. But they have been over-ruled by the consideration, that the value of such statements as I have made in this book depends on their not being exaggerations or caricatures, but as near as possible to real facts. Nor do I see any reason why facts may not be stated in a volume like this, which would have been properly brought forward in a pamphlet or a review.

These proceedings, of course, attracted the attention of the congregation; and I could observe that many of them, instead of attending to what they were about, were watching Mr. Monkton. Several also, amongst the most respectable members of the congregation, made serious objections to some of these peculiarities. It was evident to me, therefore, that it was my duty to remonstrate with him.

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My dear sir," I said, as we left the church together, "it is right, in the relation in which we stand to each other, that there should be no reserve or restraint between us; and I trust you will not feel annoyed if I advert to any part of

your conduct

which may seem to me to need correction."

"that

"I beg," said Mr. Monkton, you will never scruple to inform me of any thing which is amiss; and if I can conscientiously do so, you may depend on my altering it."

Mr. L. "Well, then, since you are disposed to receive my remarks with so much candour, I must say that objection has been made-and I think with justice to some part of your conduct in church."

Mr. M. "Ah! I know to what you allude, sir. But surely you do not object to any acts betokening reverence. When one looks around, and sees the lamentable apathy generally observable in a congregation-some staring about them, others lolling in their pews instead of reverently kneeling, and their disregard for the Sacred Presence in which they are assembled,—one feels that the slightest action which

tends to remind them, or indeed oneself, of the awful majesty of Him in whose house we are, must be not only not objectionable, but most desirable."

Mr. L. "I go along with you, my good friend, in all you can say on the propriety, or rather the necessity, not only of the inward spirit, but of outward forms of reverence. Speaking abstractedly, the slightest indication of so good a feeling is desirable. For this cause, I like to see my congregation turn to the east, in the good old fashion,' when they say the Creed; and often wonder at two or three persons in the church, who go out of their way to behave differently to the rest of the congregation, by standing immovably like stocks, or looking their neighbours in the face, as much as to say, 'How much better I know how I ought to behave than you!' This affectation of want of reverence is much worse than affectation of the contrary; and if one must do differently from other people, it is better to err on the

1 The reason of turning to the east at the Creed appears to be this: We ought always to turn to the east, if we followed the ancient practice of the Church; but, in the present incongruous arrangement of the pews in many of our churches, it is impossible to do so when kneeling. When, however, we stand, as we do at the Creed, all may turn without inconvenience and a very reverent appearance it surely has. The reason of bowing the head at the name of Jesus in the Creed is founded on the text," At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow." When we are actually kneeling, it does not seem necessary to bow; kneeling being an action of lowlier reverence than merely bowing.