if, in any one instance, you are permitted to approach even the resemblance of those miraculous triumphs, and to lead him that was "kept bound with chains and in fetters," to come in his right mind, and, clad in the garb of comeliness, to sit at the feet of Jesus,-you will feel that you are, in some degree, accomplishing the work, and advancing the kingdom of Christ; that you are grappling with the infuriated and gigantic powers of darkness, and effecting their subjugation (as it only can be effected), by the aid and energy of Him who is stronger than the strong man of sin. though, in some cases, the struggle may appear hopeless, and the cloud which hangs over the benighted soul be too dark to penetrate, still you will persevere in the work of kindness; still you will feel that in this, if in any case, the obligation to bear the burden of an afflicted brother, is imperative, and that in strengthening the hands of those who shelter and protect him, you fulfil, in very deed, the law of Christ.

What

But as we recount the duties which have been discharged by those who preside over these institutions, and the blessings which have resulted from them, assuredly we must be conscious, that there are with us, even now, in this house of prayer, some who present, in their own persons, an evi

1

Compare the 29th and 35th verses in the eighth chapter of St. Luke.

dence of present usefulness, and a pledge of future excellence. Others, of whom we have spoken as objects of the Christian's philanthropy, are removed from our view. We know what their burdens are, yet we see them not. But those, to whom I would now address myself, are before us, and their lips have repeated with our own, this day, the accents of supplication and of praise. The consciousness of these blessings, which are here extended to children of the needy and the afflicted, and to friendless orphans, excite our own veneration and love for the institution which protects them; and ought not the same consciousness to awaken thankfulness in their hearts who enjoy its bounty, and are protected by its fostering care? We look for this thankfulness, not only because the hearts which give it forth are young, and generous, and ardent, undisturbed with the cares, and untainted by the pleasures of a sinful world, but because their energies are here quickened by intellectual and moral culture; because they "are here brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." We know that this holy training has not been pursued in vain; that many of the master-spirits of our land have derived from it their first and most precious lessons of practical and lofty truth; and that to this source, the integrity, the intelligence, and patient perseverance of many an upright citizen may trace their origin. And one there is, amid

this catalogue of faithful witnesses, to whose memory and example the minister of Christ would turn with more than common reverence; whose academic labours adorn the scholarship and enrich the theology of our Church, and whose ministerial zeal first carried out the episcopal functions of that Church to the vast colonies of our Indian Empire. He sustained, even unto death, that mighty and solemn duty. He was the first to tread that path, beset with difficulties and dangers, so various, so great, and so conflicting,-that path which Heber followed, and in which Heber fell. These masters in our Israel have led the way, and others have followed them. They have pressed on with eagerness to take up the work which their predecessors had marked out, to achieve the victory which they had begun, and to set up on every side tokens of the Redeemer's praise. It was only by the might of that Redeemer that these his zealous servants were upheld in the day of trial, and by His spirit, though dead they now speak. And if, from the great Author and Finisher of their faith, they looked to an earthly model, or were encouraged by the guidance of an earthly leader, that model and that guidance they found in Middleton. His sun went down, indeed, while it was yet day; but the beams of its reflected light still lingers upon the horizon of those far-off climes, to show to those that are in darkness the way of peace, and to cheer our fellow-countrymen

who dwell there, with the conviction that, though land and seas may separate us, our hearts may, even on earth, be linked together in "one bond of peace," and look forward to the fruition of that "one hope of our calling," wherewith we are called; -a hope which resteth in the "one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all1.

And here, remember, did he, who so faithfully and zealously spread abroad that faith, first learn to know and to venerate it: it was here that his young mind was opened to receive the knowledge of whatsoever things are just, or pure, or lovely, or of good report; here the energies of his aspiring nature received their first impulse, and here his name was made imperishable 2.

And may we not trust, that, among you who are this day assembled in the courts of the Lord's house, there may be found many, who, walking by

2 "His residence at this noble foundation, Christ's Hospital (says his excellent biographer), appears to have been remembered by him in after life with delight and gratitude; and, that neither time nor distance could impair his attachment, was shown by a donation of £400, remitted from India several years after his appointment to the See of Calcutta. He lived to be a governor of that institution, but the notice of his election did not reach India till after his decease. It is pleasing, however, to know that the Hospital testified their respect for the Bishop's memory, by suffering Mrs. Middleton to nominate a scholar (the child of a widowed Indian friend) on the strength of this election." -Le Bas's Life of Bishop Middleton, vol. i. p. 2.

the same rules, and nurtured in the same principles, shall glorify the God who made you, and repay the care of those whom his Providence has raised up to be your benefactors? They have borne your burdens; they still continue to bear them; and surely you will not be unmindful of their love. You will look up from the creature to the Creator; from him who has been the instrument to fulfil the law of Christ, to Christ himself, who gave that law. Have not the services of this holy season reminded you of this obligation? Have they not revealed to your inmost thoughts, the compassion of the Redeemer crucified, the majesty of the Redeemer risen? Yea, that truth is even now bound in written characters upon your hearts1; and through the din and turmoil of our streets, you have shown to their stirring multitudes the record of that announcement once given by the Angel at the door of the sepulchre, "HE IS RISEN." Yes, Christ is risen indeed. The pains of death have been loosed, and the garments of death shaken off, "because it was not possible that he should be holden of it?" The Lord of light has vanquished

1 Each boy wears upon this occasion the motto, " He is risen," on his left breast. They all go in procession to the Royal Exchange on Easter Monday, and on Easter Tuesday, to the Mansion House; and having received the customary offerings, return to divine service at Christ Church, where the Spital Sermons are preached.

2 Acts ii. 24.