In my young days eloquent preachers were still much in the fashion, and attracted large congregations, but the building of churches and appointing to them preachers of eminence as a financial speculation had happily ceased. The church in Liverpool was largely recruited from Ireland, and we had certainly many able men, who were not only eloquent but whose discourses were also very lengthy. The hearing of sermons was not merely an act of devotion but a form of religious entertainment and enjoyment, and a short discourse would not have been appreciated. I remember one very eloquent divine, to whose church it was impossible to obtain admission unless you were at the door a quarter of an hour before the service commenced, being when advanced in years removed to another church. He continued to preach the same sermons with much of his old fire and vigour, but he emptied the church, for people would no longer tolerate fifty minutes every Sunday of the old fashioned controversial discourse. We had in those days many eminent divines, Dr. Lowe at St. Jude's, Dr. Taylor at St. Silas', Dr. Falloon at St. Bride's, and Mr. Ewbank at Everton, and most eloquent of all, Dr. MacNeile at St. Paul's, Prince's Park. He was a great power, both in the pulpit and the platform, and in the press. Clergy and laity, rich and poor, were stirred by his eloquent appeals. I never heard him preach, but his speeches to the boys at the Collegiate on our prize days still linger in my memory as marvels of eloquence. His presence was very dignified, and he was stately in manner. He had a profusion of snow-white hair, which added impressiveness and solemnity to his handsome appearance. He wielded a giant's strength in debate, and some thought he used his power without mercy. He died in 1879 at the age of 83. In the 'seventies Dr. Forest, who afterwards became Dean of Worcester, Mr. Lefroy, afterwards Dean of Norwich, and the Rev. Nevison Loraine, were among our most prominent and eloquent divines; nor must I forget the Rev. John MacNaught, of St. Chrysostom's, our first broad churchman, earnest, eloquent, and courageous, but looked upon with much misgiving and some suspicion. The Bishops of Chester were unable to devote much of their time to the Liverpool portion of their diocese. The result was that the leaders of the evangelical party became little autocrats in their way. Under these conditions church life became dormant, and the church narrow and formal, and wanting in spirituality. Her liturgy and the devotional part of her services were sacrificed, and made secondary to preaching. This was the state of things in 1880, when the see of Liverpool was founded.