o be recalled. They are new to most
of the present generation.

TO MY BRETHREN IN THE SACRED MINISTRY, THE PRESBYTERS AND DEACONS OF
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST IN ENGLAND, ORDAINED THEREUNTO BY THE HOLY GHOST
AND THE IMPOSITION OF HANDS.

FELLOW-LABOURERS,--I am but one of yourselves--Presbyter; and
therefore I conceal my name, lest I should take too much on myself by
speaking in my own person. Yet speak I must; for the times are very
evil, yet no one speaks against them.

Is not this so? Do not we "look one upon another," yet perform
nothing? Do we not all confess the peril into which the Church is
come, yet sit still each in his own retirement, as if mountains and
seas cut off brother from brother? Therefore suffer me, while I try to
draw you forth from those pleasant retreats, which it has been our
blessedness hitherto to enjoy, to contemplate the condition and
prospects of our Holy Mother in a practical way; so that one and all
may unlearn that idle habit, which has grown upon us, of owning the
state of things to be bad, yet doing nothing to remedy it.

Consider a moment. Is it fair, is it dutiful, to suffer our bishops to
stand the brunt of the battle without doing our part to support them?
Upon them comes "the care of all the Churches." This cannot be helped;
indeed it is their glory. Not one of us would wish in the least to
deprive them of the duties, the toils, the responsibilities of their
high office. And, black event as it would be for the country, yet (as
far as they are concerned) we could not wish them a more blessed
termination of their course than the spoiling of their goods and
martyrdom.

To them then we willingly and affectionately relinquish their high
privileges and honours; we encroach not upon the rights of the
SUCCESSORS OF THE APOSTLES; we touch not their sword and crozier. Yet
surely we may be their shield-bearers in the battle without offence;
and by our voice and deeds be to them what Luke and Timothy were to
St. Paul.

Now then let me come at once to the subject which leads me to address
you. Should the Government and the Country so far forget their God as
to cast off the Church, to deprive it of its temporal honours and
substance, _on what_ will you rest the claim of respect and attention
which you make upon your flocks? Hitherto you have been upheld by your
birth, your education, your wealth, your connexions; should