Page:A Pastoral Letter to the Parishioners of Frome.djvu/13

5 from his communion;—that on the one hand, he is by the office of his ministry as the servant of, to endeavour to persuade men to love; and yet he is compelled by that same office whether he will or no, to do many things which he knows will create disaffection and dislike.

Alas! brethren, what will you do? May I ask you at least not to suffer the excitement of the times, and the bitter spirit of sectarianism which is abroad, to carry you away into such extremes of party spirit as to run the risk of destroying Christian love? May I ask you to examine yourselves carefully as to those points of religious practice which the Church enjoins, and to forbear the use of harsh words and party names?—to permit me to come among you, as far as human infirmities with permit, without indulging that predisposition to take everything for wrong, which is not exactly as you yourselves think right;—to give the teacher at least an opportunity of teaching; the minister an opportunity of ministering;—not to condemn  without hearing,—not to cast out and separate, without knowing what the real points of difficulty are under which the Church (and in her, her children) now labours? You may differ from me in many points of religious practice;—some may perhaps differ on points of positive religious faith, yet I do not see why we should not love each other as brethren, and be at once "pitiful" and "courteous." I do not see why I should not take you, and you me by the right hand of Christian fellowship, (except indeed it be such as those of whom the Apostle says, "Mark them which cause divisions and offences, and avoid them, for they serve not the ." Rom. xvi. 17,) and work together as far as we can, first for the benefit and blessing of the town and parish, and ultimately for the common cause of Church.

But now I want to speak to you still more peculiarly in regard to myself. It is a most miserable thing to have to speak of oneself, especially in regard to