persuaded, are in the main very sincerely attached to their Prayer-Book. To them, it is not "a useless encumbrance, the rubbish of the past, blocking the road." Nay, there is a "rough and ready test" of what is the current temper of the age in things religious, to which I appeal with infinite satisfaction. I mean, _the general burst of execration with which "Essays and Reviews" have been received_, from one end of the kingdom to the other. _The censure of all the Bishops_, and of _both Houses of Convocation_; re-echoed, as it has been, through _all ranks of the community_, is a great fact;--a fact which I cordially recommend to Mr. Pattison's attention, when he would philosophize on the religious tendencies of his countrymen. The age we live in, (Heaven knows!) has many drawbacks. _What_ age of the Church has _not_ had them? The fatal disposition which prevails to relax all the ancient safeguards,--the desire to tamper yet further with the Law of Marriage, and to desecrate the Christian Sabbath,--these are grievous features of the times; which may well occasion alarm and create perplexity. But nothing of the kind should ever make us despond; much less despair. There is One above "who is over all, GOD blessed for ever." Shall we not rather seek to employ these advantages which we have, with a single heart, a single eye to GOD'S glory; and leave the issue, with a generous confidence, to _Him_?... It was thus that the great philosophic Divine of the last century comforted himself, amid darker days than _we_ shall ever experience. "As different ages have been distinguished by different sorts of particular errors and vices, the deplorable distinction of ours," (he said,) "is an avowed scorn of Religion in some, and a growing disregard to it in the generality." "It is impossible for me, my brethren,"--(Butler is still addressing the clergy of his Diocese, 1761,)--"to forbear lamenting with you the general decay of Religion in this nation; which is now observed by every one, and has been for some time the complaint of all serious persons. The influence of it is more and more wearing out of the minds of men;" while "the number of those who profess themselves unbelievers, increases, and with their number their zeal. Zeal, it is natural to ask,--for what? Why truly _for_ nothing, but _against_ everything that is sacred and good among us[143]." And yet, in days dark as those, Piety could suggest that "no Christian should possibly despair;" and Faith could assign as the reason of this blessed confidence,--"_For He who hath all power in Heaven and Earth, hath promised that He will be with us to the end of the world._"