dresses, a sense of the incalculable value of the soul.* Under these impressions he will soon find, that the sick room is the place of study and spiritual observation; the place where he is to watch the workings of the conscience and the mind, and from whence he is to draw the most affecting and experimental parts of his knowledge.

* At this point, and indeed at other parts of this essay, it might have seemed natural to refer to a work lately published, under the title of Death-bed Scenes. The ability with which some of the dialogues are drawn up would have justified the reference, if there had not been graver reasons for refusing to recommend to the notice of the younger clergy a work which is open to many objections on the ground of doctrinal statements, and which exhibits a very unfortunate picture of ministerial activity. Without dwelling on the general spirit of the book, the views of the author on the subject of

justification can hardly be

reconciled with those of

the Church of England; and the manner in which the administration of the Sacrament is described, seems replete with danger for an incautious imitator.

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CONCLUSION.

THUS far an attempt has been made to sketch, however briefly and imperfectly, a plan of theological study and ministerial duty which seems capable of general adoption. Far from aiming at a portrait of all that might be wished for, or all that might be expected in a clergyman, the present essay must rather be regarded as a sketch of that average of attainments, and that average of exertion, to which every one may aspire, and below which no one should be contented to sink. Other works, which include a wider scope of study, or which take a more enlarged view of the subject,

may be regarded as tracing the character of the accomplished divine; of the man who is to stand forth as the champion of truth, and who is to meet and to stem the torrent of general irreligion or prevailing error. The object of this essay is merely to state the qualifications of one who is to carry on the work in the limited sphere of a parish; who is to be one of the many ranged on the side of God; and it is in consequence adapted to the means which are now possessed for clerical education, rather than to those which might be desired. It is the representation of what we feel may be done, rather than that of which we wish might be done. There are unquestionably other branches of knowledge, other attainments, on which it might have been desirable to insist; other features of character on which it might have been gratifying to dwell; but these are either to be found amply stated in books to which reference has been made, or will present themselves in the

course of inquiry to him who is seriously engaged in the pursuit.

For the present necessity therefore, for men whose period of education is curtailed by the expenses inseparable from residence in our universities; and who have not even there the means of learning all that they ought to know, this hasty sketch must be sufficient. To them it may convey some hints by which the precious interval of leisure may be improved, and their attention may be directed to points where it will be most advantageously employed. Still the real, the only efficient remedy for the deficiency complained of, must be sought for from the universities. To them is entrusted the education of those, who fill what are called the learned professions; and from the circumstances under which the clergy enter on the duties of their calling, the interval must be short which elapses between the time in which their knowledge is to be acquired, and that in which it is brought

into exercise. Unless some change, therefore, can be effected in the system of academical education, the great majority

of the clergy must enter on the duties of their sacred office, with a degree of preparatory knowledge so inadequate to the important interests which will immediately devolve upon them, as must excite in every serious mind the liveliest feelings of anxiety and alarm. The character of the Church, it is true, may be vindicated by a few names of distinguished eminence, but the influence of the Church will be impaired, the progress of religious feeling will be retarded by the number of those who remain destitute of the necessary qualifications; and all the efforts made by some will be neutralized by the insufficiency which continues to exist in others.

To the universities, therefore, the appeal must be made, and the appeal must be repeated and while all due acknowledgment is offered for the ardour with