12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728

The Bishops of London and Rochester have commenced a move-

ment which, if not exaggerated, will be beneficial. The English clergy are taught most things except English, and can do most things except read. The bishops accordingly will compel all candidates to read and preach before them as part of the ordination test, and as bad reading is generally the result of slovenliness, and a bishop's eye is a strong hint not to be slovenly, the order is unexceptionable. But we question the wisdom of demanding an extempore sermon. Most extempore sermons are as great nuisances as extempore En- glish verses, and a true evangelist has need of qualities other than those of an improvisator.. Would Dr. Tait reject St. Paul because "his bodily presence was weak and his speech contemptible ?"

Next page