Page:The Church of England, its catholicity and continuity.djvu/191

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The Oxford Movement
175

obeyed. The Tracts had come to an end. But, as Mr. Hore says, [1]"The object for which they were undertaken was accomplished. Long forgotten truths concerning the apostolical character of the Anglican Church were brought to light: a higher tone of feeling pervaded society; a taste for theological study manifested itself amongst the clergy; an increased devotion amongst the laity; a more reverent performance of Divine Service; more frequent Communions; and an improvement in Church Music followed."

The success of the Movement was so great that a party at Oxford who opposed it raised subscriptions enough to erect a handsome piece of workmanship known as the "Martyrs' Memorial," thinking that by putting the nation in mind of the martyrs, Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer, they might give this Movement a check. But their good motives were doomed to disappointment. These men were mistaken in considering that the Oxford Movement was Roman Catholic, although several of its chief men were ultimately driven to Rome.

We must now refer further to Newman's great influence. He was appointed Vicar of S. Mary's Oxford, and here he had wonderful advantages for spreading the principles he had at heart. Immense congregations of undergraduates flocked together to listen to his sermons. Gladstone was one of his listeners, and spoke of his influence there in these words: [2]"Newman's manner in the pulpit," he says, "was one which, if you considered it in its separate parts, would lead you to arrive at a very unsatisfactory conclusion. There was not much change in the inflexion of his voice;

  1. Ibid. p.293
  2. Quoted by Hore, p. 294.