engage the service of persons in respectable situations, and of competent abilities; but from the alteration in the value of money the profits of the appointment are so much reduced as to be hardly worth the acceptance of a day-labourer; whilst the additional fees which he receives as the sexton, being fixed at a time when the price of labour was so much lower than it is at present, are but a bare equivalent for the interruption of his ordinary occupation. Having mentioned this subject, I ought not to withhold my testimony to the ready attention that has always been shown to my suggestions for a reasonable augmentation of their salary; nor will I omit the present opportunity of expressing my opinion, that it would be attended with very beneficial effects, if the respect due to this very useful, though subordinate office, were maintained beyond what it is, at present, by the appointment of men of rather a superior description to those who now generally fill it; and that their acceptance of the office were ensured by a liberal addition to the salary, which the parish would not fail to find their account in granting to persons of worthy characters and suitable attainments; whilst the parochial minister with whom the appointment absolutely rests, would receive much accommodation; and even the solemnity of divine worship be materially promoted by having an intelligent and decorous person to fill that situation. And where it so happens that the parish does not furnish a proper choice, it will surely be less objectional to invite a person from a distance, and encourage him with a sufficient emolument, than be driven to the necessity of nominating one who is not competent, merely because he resides on the spot.

I have already trespassed too long upon your attention and kindness. I cannot, however, close these observations and suggestions without remarking to you how little it will avail to the advancement of true devotion, and the interests of the established religion, to have the churches and all our other ecclesiastical concerns put into decent and becoming order, or to devise plans for their further improvement, unless the attendance of the congregation in these appointed places of public worship is properly provided for and secured. This will be best effected by the constant presence and persevering

exertions of a diligent and conscientious parochial minister, who acts under a scrupulous regard to the solemn engagements he has entered into, and is sincerely desirous to discharge the various and important duties of the pastoral office. The value and influence of such a character to the place and neighbourhood in which he dwells have been so pleasingly exemplified to me in the course of my parochial visitation, that I feel it a tribute strictly due to the clergy of this archdeaconry to state that many such are to be found in it, dispensing benefits around them, and receiving in return the blessings of those who live within the sphere of their influence; which is seen in nothing more strongly than in the entire exclusion of that numerous train of itinerant preachers, and sectaries of various and discordant professions, who are indefatigable in their search after the most favourable opportunities for disseminating their pernicious doctrines with success; who in every place where they find the flock neglected or abandoned by its proper and appointed shepherd, are sure "to enter in and dwell there."

The right and lawful minister of the gospel, who exemplifies the truth and efficacy of the doctrine he teaches by the visible influence it has upon his own life and conversation--who, to use the words of the apostle, is himself "an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity*;" of such a teacher is it too much to suppose that he will so establish himself in the hearts of his people that he shall have little to fear from the attempts of those who may strive to draw them away from communion with him? And when they find him to be a judicious adviser in their temporal concerns, a kind friend in adversity; ready to rejoice with them in prosperity, to participate in their sor rows, and to relieve their necessities, they can have no scruple to accept of the instruction of such a friend in their spiritual concerns; they will have no hesitation in believing, that he who shows himself thus sincerely anxious for their temporal happiness, can never be indifferent to, or mislead them in what relates to their eternal welfare. From such a friend and

Timothy, iv. 12.

adviser they may reasonably hope to receive the truth, as it is in Jesus; they will accept with thankfulness from his mouth the plain, simple, and intelligible interpretation of the written word of God; teaching men to work out their salvation with fear and trembling, in patient hope and undissembled repentance; to rely on the efficacy of their blessed Saviour's sacrifice, and the comfortable assurance of his assisting spirit in aid of their own feeble endeavours. These intelligible doctrines, collected from scripture, from the liturgy, the articles, and the homilies of our church, they will receive (when so warranted to them) in preference to the proud dogmas of human reason; to the gloomy and discouraging doctrines of absolute reprobation; the presumptuous assurance of election, or the dangerous and deceitful operations of experiences and sensible impressions, with which, in some form or other, these pretenders to superior wisdom and sanctity are setting off themselves and their unauthenticated claims to divine inspiration; and are ever on the watch to draw after them those who have warm imaginations and itching ears.

Let us then daily endeavour to exemplify in our own lives the practical influence of the sober, rational, and truly scriptural doctrine, which we have so solemnly pledged ourselves to teach to our respective flocks; confidently assured, that by so doing we oppose the most powerful barrier to the alarming innovations of unrighteous and ungodly men, whilst we are pursuing the surest and most effectual means for the salvation of our own souls, and of those committed to our charge.

BISHOPRIC OF WINCHESTER.

THE BISHOPRIC OF WINCHESTER

Contains the counties of Hampshire (including the islands of Wight, Jersey, and Guernsey,) and Surrey, except eleven churches and chapels, which are in the deanry of Croydon : with one parish in the county of Wilts, (Whitesbury,) and is divided into the two archdeaconries of Winchester and Surrey.---415 churches and chapels. Charged in the king's books 2873l. 18s. 1d.

BISHOPS DURING THE PRESENT REIGN. “

Dr. Hoadley died in 1761, and was succeeded by Dr. Thomas, Bishop of Salisbury, who, dying in 1781, Dr. North was elected bishop of this diocess, being translated from the see of Worcester.

BISHOP,

Hon. Brownlow North, LL.D. Provincial Subdean of Canterbury, Visitor of Magdalen, New, Trinity, St. John's, and Corpus Christi Colleges, Oxford, and Prelate of the Order of the Garter, one of the Court of Assistants of the Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy, Vice-President of the School for the Indigent Blind, and of the New Council of the Societies of Antiquaries.

The very Reverend the DEAN,

Thomas Rennell, D.D. Master of the Temple.

The Worshipful the CHANCELLOR,
William Garnier.

The Venerable the ARCHDEACON of WINCHESTER,
Hon. Thomas De Grey.

Of SURREY, John Carver, B.C.L.

Rev. Hen. Berkeley, D.C.L. Rev. William Howley, M.A.

P. Williams.

J. Lear.

Cha. Daubeney, B.C.L.

Harry Oglander, M.A.

Henry Lee, M.A.

W. Howley, D.D.

J. P. Cumming, B.C.L.
H. Lissmore, B.C.L.

G. Heathcote, M.A.

PRESENTATIONS, PROMOTIONS, &c.

The Dean and Chapter of Winchester doubled the stipends of the minor canons without solicitation.

Dispensation passed the great seal enabling the REV.THOMAS GARNIER, LL.B. to hold the rectory of Alverstoke, with that of Bishopstoke, county of Hants.

REV. DANIEL WILLIAMS inducted to the discharged vicarage of Romsey, vice Rev. James Woodburn. Of this parish Mr. Williams was curate thirty-five years.

REV. FRANCIS NORTH, presented to the mastership of St. Cross, Hants, vice Rev. Lockman, dec.

REV.

HARRISON, chosen by the parishioners in a select vestry, to the chaplaincy of St. Saviour, commonly called St. Mary Overie, estimated at 500l. per annum.