vantage, all that could not be spared without loss. I have been arguing the question before us on its general merits: there is scarcely need that I should make any formal or direct application of what has been said to the particular charity for which I am called to plead before you to-day. I am not aware that it differs in any respect from others of its kind. Suffice it, therefore, to say, that it is such as combines all the recommendations in a scheme of education I have enumerated; and, doubtless, is such as has realized and will realize the blessings I have represented as the fruits. It is for the education of the poor you are invited to provide; nor only their education, but their religious education; nor for that only, but for their religious education according to the forms of the Established Church, of which you are members. If, then, you would see the children of your humble neighbours brought betimes to a knowledge of themselves, and of their own hearts, the beginning of wisdom-if you would have good servants, honest artificers, virtuous citizens, around you, to circulate the homely charities of life amongst you in private, and to uphold the public character of a religious and loyal townif you would provide the surest comfort of all for the sick and forlorn, the comfort of godly principles within to fall back upon in the hour of hardship-if you would disperse that gross ignorance which so often converts the valley of the shadow of death into a scene of unutterable gloom -if you would supply to those who might be carried about by any wind of doctrine, not only a faith, but a safe form of it; so that whilst so many other Christian communities see the fashions of their faith successively chase one another away like the clouds, the one you teach shall be still sound, settled, and cleave stedfastly to the Head— if, in a word, you will contribute (as far as God will accept your efforts) to its being said by Him of you, as it was said by Him of Corinth, "I have much people in this city *"—you have the day for so doing now. I here, therefore, commend to your favour and generous support, the schools of this place, with the prayer, that the blessing of Almighty God may go along with you in this your labour of love; that as ye plant and water, so He will give an abundant increase, to the glory of his name, and the extension of his kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord! *Acts xviii. 10. THE END. Printed by W. CLOWES and SONS, Stamford-street. A SERMON, PREACHED IN THE PARISH CHURCH OF LOUTH, AT THE TRIENNIAL VISITATION OF THE LORD BISHOP OF LINCOLN, July the 31st, 1837. BY THE REV. G. A. CHAPLIN, M. A., Rector of Raithby cum Hallington; and Domestic PUBLISHED AT THE REQUEST OF HIS LORDSHIP AND THE CLERGY. LONDON: J. G. AND F. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH-YARD AND WATERLOO-PLACE. J. & J. JACKSON, LOUTH. MDCCCXXXVII. TO THE RIGHT REVEREND JOHN, BY DIVINE PROVIDENCE, LORD BISHOP OF LINCOLN, THE FOLLOWING SERMON, PREACHED AT THE DESIRE AND PUBLISHED AT THE REQUEST OF HIS LORDSHIP, IS INSCRIBED AND DEDICATED AS A SMALL, THOUGH UNFEIGNED, TRIBUTE OF RESPECT, BY HIS LORDSHIP'S MOST FAITHFUL AND DEEPLY-OBLIGED SERVANT, GEO. A. CHAPLIN. |