would make perfect men. Mark the difference
between this feeling and that of the apostle, "Let every man abide in
the same calling wherein he was called." We are called to be members
of the Church of England--what is our duty now? What would Paul have
done? Is this our duty--to put such questions to ourselves as these?
"Is there any single, particular sentence in the service of my Church
with which I do not entirely agree? Is there any single ceremony with
which my whole soul does not go along? If so, then is it my duty to
leave it at once?" No, my brethren, all that we have to do is to say,
"All our existing institutions are those under which God has placed
us, under which we are to mould our lives according to His will." It
is our duty to vitalize our forms, to throw into them a holier, deeper
meaning. My Christian brethren, surely no man will get true rest, true
repose for his soul in these days of controversy, until he has learned
the wise significance of these wise words--"Let every man abide in the
same calling wherein he was called." He will but gain unrest, he will
but disquiet himself, if he says, "I am sinning by continuing in this
imperfect system," if he considers it his duty to change his calling
if his opinions do not agree in every particular and special point
with the system under which God has placed him.

Lastly, the apostle applies this principle civilly. And you will
observe he applies it to that civil relationship which of all others,
was the most difficult to harmonize with Christianity--slavery. "Art
thou called," he says, "being a servant? Care not for it." Now, in
considering this part of the subject we should carry along with us
these two recollections. First, we should recollect that Christianity
had made much way among this particular class, the class of slaves. No
wonder that men cursed with slavery embraced with joy a religion which
was perpetually teaching the worth and dignity of the human soul, and
declaring that rich and poor, peer and peasant, master and slave, were
equal in the sight of God. And yet, great as this growth was, it
contained within it elements of danger. It was to be feared, lest men,
hearing for ever of brotherhood and Christian equality, should be
tempted and excited to throw off the yoke by _force_, and compel their
masters and oppressors to do them right.

The other fact we are to keep in remembrance is this--that all this
occurre