But the Bishop was not only himself pre-eminent in the pulpit, but he was anxious to promote those in the church, who appeared to him to be best qualified by their learning, their talents, and their eloquence, to uphold the cause of religion. It must ever, for example, be mentioned to his honour, that he conferred the valuable living of St. James's, Westminster, on its present highly respected Rector, the Dean of Canterbury. At the time the benefice became vacant, Dr. Andrewes was no otherwise known. to him, than by his general character, and his acknowledged excellence as a preacher. But "for these reasons," says the Bishop, "he appeared to me by far the fittest person I could place in that very important situation; the most important perhaps of any parochial situation in this kingdom. His conduct since has fully

fully answered my most sanguine expectations. His church is crowded with persons of every rank and condition; and he is doing infinite service in that large and populous parish, not only by his preaching, but by his exemplary unremitted attention to all the duties of his profession, private and public."

It was not however only by patronizing men of reputation, and placing them in situations of usefulness and responsibility, that he endeavoured to advance the credit of the church. He was also anxious to lay a foundation for its future benefit: and this he thought might be most effectually done in the manner thus stated by himself:

"It has often," he says, "been matter of deep regret to me, that, in the excellent system of education established in

our

our two Universities, sufficient regard has not been paid to the instruction of young men intended for the church, in those studies and attainments, which are peculiarly fitted to qualify them for discharging with respectability and success the various important functions of their sacred office. More particularly I have lamented that there is no part of academical education that has any tendency to produce, what is certainly one of the most useful, and most essential branches of our profession,--good preaching and good reading. There is no instruction given in it, no rewards or honours assigned to it, no attention paid to it. Yet this is confessedly the great instrument by which we are 'to persuade men;' by which we are to make an impression on their hearts and consciences, reclaim them from sin, establish

them

"I therefore determined to try, whether by any means I could excite in, the younger part of the University of Cambridge a spirit of ambition to excel in those most important and necessary qualifications of a parochial clergyman: and, after much deliberation, nothing seemed to me more likely to attain this purpose, than the institution of Prizes for good Elocution and good Composition on religious subjects. If public honours were once assigned to those, who distinguished themselves in these things, as well as to eminent classical scholars and mathematicians, I felt persuaded, that the most beneficial effects would result from such an institution; and I therefore resolved to form one for that purpose at Christ's College, where

I was educated, if that Society should be inclined to accept it. On my proposing it to Dr. Barker, then Master, he and the College very obligingly acceded to the proposal; and accordingly, very soon after, I transferred the sum of £.1,400. 4 per Cents. for the establishment of three Prizes, to be appropriated to the following purposes:

"1st. A Gold Medal of £.15. value, for the best Dissertation in Latin by an Undergraduate of any standing, on any of the chief evidences, or fundamental doctrines of the Christian Revelation.

66

2dly. A Gold Medal of the same value, for the best practical Dissertation in English on any moral precept in the New Testament; regard being had, in deciding on its merits, both to the excellence of the composition, and the graceful and impressive manner of delivering it, when read in Chapel *.

3dly. A Gold Medal of £.10. value, to the best reader of the Lessons in Chapel."

In

By a subsequent Indenture, dated Jan. 4th, 1809, the Bishop determined, that the two Prize Medals for

Essays