conduct must have inspired, I had felt, as I must have done, the awful conviction, that the arm of God was stretched over my head, and challenged by every word I uttered, to strike and crush me as a lying prophet, and a deceiver in his name? Nor is ours the religion which confers wealth, and dignity, and honour upon its willing ministers, or that can hold out any nominal equivalent for our only true reward. But, if on the one hand, I am fully satisfied, not merely that no doctrine, but that not a single argument has been advanced by me, of which I have not the most entire conviction, and if I flatter myself, as I feelingly do, that you too are satisfied in this respect, I have a right to demand from you a corresponding return, and it is simply this. Allow not any slight impression which my words have made, to pass heedlessly away. If any one shall have felt his previous system of faith in even its smallest parts shaken, let it be but a reason with him to try the security of the entire building. If some small cloud shall appear to have cast a shadow over the serenity of his former conviction; oh! let him not scorn or neglect it: for it may be like that which the prophet commanded his servant to watch from Carmel,-rich with blessing, and fertility, and refreshment, to the soul that thirsts for truth.* No one, I am sure, who looks at the religious divisions of this country, can, for a moment, suppose that it represents the proper state of Christ's Church on earth. It is certain, that for ages unity of belief reigned amongst us, and so should it be once more. There is no doubt but individual reflection, if sincerely and perseveringly pursued, will bring all back, in steady convergence towards the point of unity; and therefore I entreat, that if any little light shall have been now shed upon any of your minds, if a view of religion have been presented to you, of which before you had no idea, I entreat that it be not cast away, but followed with diligence and gratitude, till full satisfaction shall have been received. * 3 Reg. xviii. 44. Far be it from me to fancy that anything which I have said, can of itself be worthy of so glorious a blessing. I have but scattered a little seed, and it is God alone that can give the increase. It is not on those effects, for which I am grateful to your indulgence, and on which till my dying hour I must dwell with delight,—it is not on the patience and kindness with which you have so often listened to me under trying circumstances, in such numbers, and at such an hour, that I presume to rest my hopes and augury of some good effect. No, it is on the confidence which the interest exhibited gives me, that you have abstracted from me individually, and fixed your thoughts and attention upon the cause which I represent. Had I come before you as a champion, armed to fight against the antagonists of our faith, I might have been anxious to appear personally strong and well appointed; but the course which I have chosen needed not much prowess; a burning lamp will shine as brightly in the hands of a child, as if uplifted by a giant's arm. I have endeavoured simply to hold before you the light of Catholic truth; and to him that kindled it be all the glory! To thee, O eternal fountain of all knowledge, I turn to obtain grace upon these lessons, and efficacy for these wishes. If "my speech and my preaching have not been in the persuasive words of human wisdom,"* it is thy word at least which I have endeavoured to declare. Remember, then, thy promise. For thou hast said; "as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return no more thither, but soak the earth, and water it, and make it to spring, and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be: it shall not return to me void, but shall prosper in the things for which I sent it." Prosper it then now: may it fall upon a good soil, and bring forth fruit a hundredfold. Remove prejudice, ignorance, and pride from the hearts of all who have listened to it, and give them a meek and teachable * 1 Cor. ii. 4. Is. lv. 10, 11. spirit; and strength to follow and to discover, if they know them not, the doctrines of thy saving truth. Hear, on their behalf, the last prayers of thy well-beloved Son Jesus, when he said: "And not only for them do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in me, that they all may be one, as thou Father in me and I in thee; that they may also be one in us."* Yes; may they all be one by the profssion of the same faith: may they be one in the same hope, by the practice of thy holy law; that so we may hereafter all be one in perfect charity, in the possession of thy eternal kingdom. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. * Jo. xvii. 20, 21. FINIS. C. RICHARDS, PRINTER, ST. MARTIN'S LANE, CHARING CROSS. |