EIGHTH QUESTION. much of them as you wish to do? Do not wish to see them sooner home, they would only be in mischief. they are now safe. I know Would feel glad if they could always stay the whole day, but come home to dinner. They would surprise a person of twenty or forty, by what they say. See them quite as much as I wish. NINTH QUESTION. Do you think you are doing your duty by it, in sending it so soon away? First answer. I really think it my bounden duty. I wish I had had the opportunity for the rest. More than if I kept them at home. TENTH QUESTION. Do you think you First answer. Second Third love them as much? Being the last, I rather like it the best. Love them as much as if always at home. Those few hours are so different from a week, a day and night, &c. Love them quite as well. Fourth answer. When they come home and can tell what they have been doing, and that they have learned good, it increases our love for them. ELEVENTH QUESTION. Do you think that they lose their affection in any degree No, I cannot see that it does. I think it's the better. Would always like their mother best. It is not as if they were always from home. Not in the least. I think the affection of the children is heightened. GENERAL DETAILS. ANNUAL ADDRESSES AT ADVENT. LV. Instructions to the Parishioners of Wonston concerning the TEXT PAPERS. I HAVE reason to hope that benefit has arisen from the text papers which have now been given for nearly two years, to enable you better to understand the Sermons. There were thirty-three of these text papers during the last year; and at the head of each, the subject of instruction which the Church appoints weekly has been shewn. It is very important that every one of you should attend to this instruction. It is a continual witness amongst you, that if any one neglects religion, no excuse can be made hereafter on account of ignorance. As I do not promise that a text paper shall be printed every week (though I mean that it shall as often as possible), I am very desirous that your minds should be regularly directed to the Church Instruction, which is a different thing from the clergyman's own preaching, or personal ministry. This has induced me to make an addition to the text papers; so that whether the subject of the Sermon be printed or not, there shall always be something to direct your minds to that important instruction. I have also endeavoured to improve the plan of the text papers; and upon this first Sunday in Advent there will be given to you a paper containing the- WONSTON TEXT PAPER, AND THE WEEKLY CALENDAR. That you may make use of both these in a profitable manner, I desire to call your attention to the following INSTRUCTIONS. 1. The text paper will this year be more full and particular than formerly. A short statement will be made of every point in the sermon; so that you are not now left to find out so much of the subject from the texts as before. To each of these short statements will be added references to such texts as shew what is meant, or as prove its truth. Formerly only such texts were printed as were spoken of in the sermon; but now several texts will be inserted for you to refer to afterwards, and perhaps only one or two of them will be mentioned in preaching. This will save time, while I shall have the confidence that you can prove the Scripture authority for every point, as much as if I had done so for you in the sermon. Though you may have the text paper while the sermon is being preached, yet it does not seem the best plan for you to turn to your Bibles at the time, as it delays you, and takes off attention from what follows. It will be better that you should use the text paper to quicken your attention during the sermon and afterwards refer to all the texts, to impress the subject more firmly upon your minds. 2. The Questions for Self-examination are meant to help you to find out whether the different parts of the sermon are really profitable to you. It is not hearing a sermon which will do you any good; it is applying what you hear with prayer, which brings profit; and it is doing what you are taught which brings the blessing. (Rom. ii. 13. James i. 22.) You should seriously put these questions to yourselves several times in the course of the week. 3. The Epistle for the Day will be explained in a very short manner at the Sunday Afternoon Service, so as to help you to understand it better when you read it at home yourselves. While it is being explained you had better refer to it in your Prayer Books, or in the Bible. 4. Questions to be answered. When people come to be taught, a great deal depends upon the desire to learn which they bring with them; and if their minds have been before employed upon the subject, they learn so much the quicker. If you really desire to profit by the sermons as you ought, it would be well to go the best way to work; and one sure way to attend better and learn more will be to have some thought upon the subject beforehand. To help you to do this, I mean to prepare three questions, all of which have something to do with the subject of the next sermon I propose to preach. If you can answer these questions you will be able to understand that sermon a great deal better than if you had not thought about them at all. These questions shall be printed with the text paper; and I recommend every one of you to think about them in the course of the week, and try to answer them in your own minds. By attending to the sermon on the next Sunday Morning, you will find out whether your thoughts have been right or wrong. I think this so important that I should advise such of my parishioners as are more educated and are able to write, if they have time, to write down their answers to the questions, and send them to me. This they may do without putting their names. For greater convenience in doing this, I will have the questions printed every week upon a few sheets of paper; and any person wishing to write answers may have these by applying at the school-room, or at the Rector's room in Sutton, or to the District Visitors. These answers |