mate their exertions, and to acquire as well as to impart instruction and information. Nor, when the occasion called for it, did any one know better how to assume that dignity of manner which effectually represses undue familiarity.

CHAP. XVIII.

THE BISHOP'S MODE OF PREPARING FOR, AND OF CONDUCTING, HIS ORDINATIONS.

In preparing for, and conducting, his ordinations, the Bishop acted in the spirit of the Apostolic injunction, "Lay hands suddenly on no man," and in order fully to ascertain the competency of candidates, he himself performed the functions of examining chaplain. The onerous duties which this office imposed upon him, so entirely engaged his thoughts and attention for the week preceding an ordination, that all other engagements were superseded, and he passed his time in the examining room, sedulously superintending the proceedings of the candidates, and satisfying himself as to their qualifications and attainments.

Whenever, after due examination, he met with cases of incompetency, he was inflexible in withholding orders; but it was his study and delight to encourage and to draw forth modest merit.

Accurate Biblical knowledge, a competent acquaintance with the Greek Testament, and facility in English composition, were among the leading qualifications which he required. But he also held out particular encouragement to the study of

Hebrew; and in order to facilitate the acquisition of the language, he published various useful elementary works, which were introduced into the schools of the diocese, and have gone through many editions. The principal are entitled as follows:- Hebrew Elements or an Introduction to the reading of the Hebrew Scriptures, 8vo. A Hebrew Primer, 12mo. Motives to the Study of Hebrew, in two parts, 12mo.*

He had also turned his attention to the Arabic as a cognate language; and published, in 1809, a little work, entitled, "The Arabic Alphabet, or an Introduction to the Reading of Arabic.”

That candidates should have attentively studied and should well understand the articles of the Church of England, was another qualification which he justly deemed essential. But, independently of the learned preparation which he thus required, he did his utmost to impress upon them the indispensable necessity of personal piety in order to a faithful and effectual discharge of the clerical functions. He would, in a kind but scrutinising manner, inquire into the motives of those who applied to him for orders; and unless they proved to be such as would stand the test of reason and of conscience, gave them no encouragement.

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* "These little works," says the Reverend Hartwell Horne, "form the simplest and clearest introduction to the reading of Hebrew without points that have ever been published."

A new edition of the two first, neatly printed in one volume 12mo., issued from the University Press, Glasgow, in 1823.

Besides touching forcibly upon this subject in private, he published several small Treatises, with the view of deterring men from inconsiderately selecting the clerical profession, and of stirring up those who were ordained, to a faithful and exemplary discharge of their pastoral duties. Among these the following may be enumerated :

"The Importance and Difficulty of the Pastoral Office, and the Danger of rashly undertaking it." 8vo. 1811.

"A Collection of such Scriptures as ought to be seriously and frequently considered by all who are preparing for Orders, or are already ordained." 12mo. 1816.

"A conscientious Minister's compunctions on the Recollection of his Want of Preparation for the Ministry of the Church, before his first entering into Holy Orders, extracted from the Rev. T. Scott's Force of Truth." 12mo.

Though we cannot pretend to give a particular account of his episcopal admonitions, as contained in these publications, and in his various charges, their leading principles may be epitomised as follows:

That the foundation of clerical usefulness must be laid in just and serious views of the sacredness and importance of the Christian ministry, and of the solemn responsibility which the "cure of souls" involves.

That the pastoral office, when undertaken and

discharged in this spirit, will open to the mind. sources of the most interesting employment and the purest happiness.

That the Christian Church and Ministry were instituted by Christ himself, to promulgate from age to age the terms of his Gospel, to promote its vital efficacy, and to administer the sacred rites and ordinances which he enjoined in connection with it.

That the Gospel is a message of grace and reconciliation from an offended but merciful God to a sinful world; that its benefits are inestimable; but that those only who are brought to a penitential conviction that they are sinners, will duly comprehend its object, or estimate its value.

That it unfolds the wonderful means conceived in the counsels of Infinite Wisdom and Love, for the expiation and pardon of sin, and for the restoration of an apostate race to the favour and image of their Maker. That its principles, therefore, comprehend the sole philosophy adapted to the peculiar condition, the nature, and the exigencies of man, providing for the pacification of his conscience, the moral renovation of his nature, his present happiness, and the discipline of his soul for a glorious Immortality.

That a cheering and celestial light is thus cast upon human existence; the way of access to a reconciled God, through faith in the Great Mediator, laid open; "Heaven is added to Earth,