Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

question the claim of such a Bishop to the venerable title of "Right Reverend Father in God."

Throughout the whole course of his Episcopate he was faithful and abundant in his apostolical labours, and in the work of his parochial ministry. He had such love for professional duty, that it might properly be said "it was his meat and drink" to do his Master's will. He had numbered the years of more than half a century when he entered his diocese, and performed an amount of duty far greater than could be reasonably expected from one of his advanced age. In the duties of his station he persevered until the last week of his life; and was engaged in them, at a distance from his children, his parish, and his homewith his fourscore years nearly completed-when, full of peace and of honours, he was summoned to his everlasting

rest.

66

We shall see his face on earth no more. Nothing of him is left to us but the remembrance of his virtues and the enduring fruits of his ministry. The Church may well mourn the loss of his example, his instructions and his prayers. But our comfort is, that the Lord and Head of the Church liveth ever. We rely upon the promises he has made to her, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee:" "Lo! I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." The tried character of the present Bishop of Virginia, and the well-known talents and piety of the "brother faithful and beloved," who has been elected to assist him in his arduous work, afford a pleasing assurance that the principles and policy of Bishop Moore will still be maintained in the important diocese which was so long favoured with his Episcopal supervision.

We may be tempted to despond as we dwell upon the mournful inquiry, "our fathers, where are they? and the

328

MEMOIR OF THE LIFE OF BISHOP MOORE.

prophets, do they live forever?" But we may be cheered by the persuasion that their spirit will animate their successors. As our venerable Fathers are removed, one after another, we are comforted by the assured hope that they have left behind them, in our Episcopate, sons who will prove themselves worthy of such sires. Men who will keep the banner of the cross ever waving in front of the host. Who, first in every post of duty and of danger, will boldly follow the Captain of our Salvation, and encourage his soldiers to press onward from conquering to conquer, till he shall appear again on earth, to claim his rightful inheritance, and sway the sceptre of peace and holiness over a ransomed and regenerated world.

SERMONS.

SERMON I.

He maketh me to lie

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters; he restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley and shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me." -23d Psalm, 1st, 2nd, 3d, and 4th verses.

THE more that we study the sacred volume of inspiration, the more do we become convinced of the superintending goodness of God, and of that peculiar affection he has expressed for the intelligent production of his hand.

Experience assures us, that human life abounds with difficulties; that we are the heirs of sorrow and of pain; and that "man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly up'wards." To calm that sea of distress in which we are involved, Revelation exhibits to our view the most encouraging prospect beyond the grave. It directs the attention of the Christian to a city of refuge-to a haven infested with no storms-to a seat of happiness, in which sorrow and sighing find no admission-where every tear will be wiped from the mourner's eye; and joys the most sublimated and refined be our portion forever.

Though heaven, and the heaven of heavens, cannot contain the great Omnipotent, still we find in his word that he dwells in a sincere and contrite heart; and manifests himself to his followers, as a father and a friend-" For to this man will I look, says the Almighty; to him who is of an humble and contrite spirit, and who trembleth at my word.' That comfortable manifestation of the Divine goodness

« ForrigeFortsæt »