Page:The Jubilee, or what I heard and saw in London.djvu/15

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WHAT I SAW AND HEARD.
9

God has given us many encouragements, and he eloquently alludes to the presence of the American, Scottish, and Colonial Bishops as affording an earnest of more widely-extended exertions hereafter, exertions conducted with increased system and unity, and with greater confidence in Church principles and in the promises of our Almighty Head. He calls particular attention to the fact, that wherever the true system of Christ's Church has been preached and practised in its fulness, the most abundant success has generally resulted.

The sermon was followed by the Holy Communion, when not far from a thousand persons communicated, and a collection of between four and five hundred pounds was taken up. The Archbishop consecrated the elements, and administered to the English, Scottish, American, and Colonial Bishops. The Bishops then administered to the Clergy, and the Bishops and Clergy to the Laity. Amid the deep feeling which pervaded the assembly, it seemed as if the "Gorham case," the "Hampden consecration," and other sorrowful subjects were for the time forgotten. Yet besides confessing our faults as individuals, we could not but confess our sins and negligences as a Church, while we were led fervently to implore the assistance, and to supplicate for the presence, of that Holy Comforter without whom we cannot continue in safety.

While leaving the church, I heard an English Bishop exclaim, "We have indeed had a glorious day." Afterwards I met with the two American Bishops, whom I had not seen since 1841. Time had produced changes in their countenances, but had in