DEAN. Then, Sir, allow me to ask what is your opinion, generally, of the church and the dissenters?

MR. M.-To answer your question at once, I think that the church is still in need of considerable reformation; it was a work never fully completed; and my opinion is, that the present is the most favourable time to effect it.

DEAN.-But what defects do you see in the church?

MR. M.-Many. In the first place, the morning service is far too long; the repetition is displeasing and improper; and the various services contain things to which serious and considerate men must ever object to, and which ought to be amended. Besides the 17th article, if Calvinistic, is too narrow for a national church, if not, is too ambiguous. The church purged, trimmed, and decorated, as she ought to be, and, with a little discretion and some trouble, might be, would be, unrivalled. Besides, as a national church, she ought to be enlarged and liberal in her opinions as possible; matters of doubtful disputation should be avoided; for few

would find fault with a non-essential being omitted, many do with its being an indispensible requisite of communion. Then, Sir, able and eminent dissenting Ministers would, with pleasure, conform. They are galled and jaded by their own democratical systems, and would find shelter in ours. Their services, transferred to us, would be a weakening of the cause of dissent, and an additional strength; and, from the love I bear to all sects and parties, who love the truth, I must wish, for their own sakes, to see the church take the lead very considerably.

DEAN. Then if the church of England were completely reformed, you think we should gain an accession of pious men from the dissenting interest.

MR. M.-I do; and I urge this as the proper period, because, though now there are many dissenters, there is little real dissent in the land. I only know a single Methodist preacher in the circle of my acquaintance, who is a dissenter in principle; and, I believe, as to the professed dissenters, they are not opposed to a national establishment, as such: consequently, if it be to some

lesser matters in the church, let them be removed, and their objections are done away, besides the amazing advantage to the church herself; and if we wish for unity, why should we retain what the liberal dissenters object to, and ourselves consider blemishes? But, Sir, the greatest reformation wanting, is to have Ministers of energetic characters, who will completely fill up the space they are called to occupy,-furnishing the people with "means of grace" in every direction; and be personally and familiarly acquainted with all their parishioners, especially the pious who place themselves under their care. My people have their prayer meetings and their experience meetings. I engage them in carrying forward the missionary cause, the bible society, Sunday schools, and every good work: and I find they are not only sound Christians, but staunch churchmen by it; as they will, of themselves, remark, "why should we go elsewhere to seek what we have at home?" I beg pardon for illustrating the subject by my own case. I may say, though few are more liberally minded than myself, and upon

better terms with other bodies of Christians, yet I certainly think, if the sectaries cannot be brought to church, the church people should, at least, be kept at home.

: DEAN.-Sir, accept my best thanks for your frankness: the subject shall have my serious attention. For the present I must say-good morning.

MR. M.-Good morning, Sir.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE Lord has promised to guide and teach his Ministers and people-to make their way plain before them-to lead them continually: and when they are at the appointed post of duty, often enlarges their sphere of usefulness beyond their calculation. This remark is applicable to a circumstance which now occurred. Mr. M. having been recommended as a proper person, was applied to, by the Church Missionary Society, to take a considerable district-to preach sermons-and attend meetings to plead its cause. Having prayed, and deliberated, and examined the subject, he stated to the Committee, that if a suitable supply could be procured for his churches; a person who would discharge the whole of his duties, he should feel glad to serve the cause.