Page:The Church of England, its catholicity and continuity.djvu/221

Rh impossible in one short lecture to show how it has been aroused within the last sixty years. But I have said enough, I think, to show you what a change bas come over the Church of England in this century. It is quite correct what a modern writer has asserted, "It may be truly said that never has the Church been more efficient, never more beloved by Churchmen, never more beneficial to the State, never more liberal, never less formal, than it is in the present day. Everything around us bears witness to the fact; few, except political opponents and unbelievers, are found to dispute it. The tone and influence of the clergy, the zeal of the laity; Ruridecanal Synods, Diocesan Synods, Diocesan Conferences, Church Congresses; Guilds, Confraternities, Penitentiaries, Orphanages, Missions, Retreats, Quiet Days; the increased number and improved character of daily and Saints' day services, and of the Celebration of Holy Communion; the work of Missions; the spread of education; the tone of our Universities and Public Schools; the revival of Sufragan Bishops; the building and restoration of Churches; an improved style of Church building not unworthy of the best days of our Gothic architecture; the number of free and open Churches; the substitution of the offertory for pew rents; in a word, in every department of the Church, look where we will, the improvement is universal." These words by Mr. Hore ably support what I have already said.

One more thing we ought not to forget, and that is the influence of the Parish Magazine. Most parishes now possess their magazine. It is the means of spreading the