TO THE

CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE OF RIPON,

THIS CHARGE,

PUBLISHED AT THEIR REQUEST,

IS INSCRIBED,

WITH SINCERE AFFECTION AND RESPECT,

BY

THEIR FAITHFUL FRIEND AND BROTHER,

C. T. RIPON.

A

CHARGE,

&c.

MY REV. BRETHREN,

THE lapse of ten completed years since the commencement of that spiritual relation in which we stand to each other, marks the termination of a cycle which seems more especially to invite us to such a review of the past as may serve each of us as materials of encouragement or warning for the future, in our several provinces of ministerial labour. And it is indeed well, that, amidst the ceaseless round of anxious duties in which so many of us are engaged in this populous Diocese, we should avail ourselves of every occasion that presents itself for calm meditation on our duties and responsibilities; seeking fresh supplies from the fountain of all grace to animate us in our arduous course, that so, in that great solemn day in which

every man's work shall be tried, we may be able to render our account with joy. A feeling of regret may at times possibly pass over the minds of some among us, that owing to the peculiar circumstances of the Church in our day, and through the incessant demands that are made on our time and thoughts, to devise fresh expedients to meet the growing wants of our increasing flocks, we should be so much occupied in what I may call the material organization of Christ's Church, and have less time than we could wish to devote to the spiritual edification of the body of Christ; that we are compelled to a certain extent, as it were, to "leave the Word of God and serve tables," instead of "giving ourselves continually," as we could wish, "to prayer and the ministry of the Word." But, under such circumstances, while we recollect the gracious assurance, that as is our day, so shall our strength be, and that whatever burthen it may please the Lord to lay upon us, He will never allow it to render us the less competent for the work to which He has appointed us, we should the more readily profit by such seasons as the present; in the hope that a renewed blessing may descend upon us, as we retrace the course of our past ministry, and form fresh resolutions of fulfilling, through grace, our respective charges, with more of love to our flocks, and more of devotion to our blessed Master's service than

ever.

The decennial period to which I have already alluded has certainly been marked by a series of greater efforts in this country for the extension of Divine truth, through the ministrations of our Church, than can be pointed to during any ten years since the Reformation. Within that date we have witnessed successive Governments, each vying with the other, according to their respective views of the exigency of the case, in devising measures to enable the Church of England more effectually to develope her energies, and adapt herself to the increasing wants of the people. Under the operation of these measures, we have seen many inveterate abuses reformed, and our revenues more beneficially applied: we have seen an increase in the Episcopate, both at home and abroad, sanctioned by the authorities of the State, and a large addition in our populous districts to the number of our Clergy labouring there. We have also seen societies either newly formed, or old ones receiving an extraordinary additional impulse to their movements; so that our Church is in every direction lengthening her cords, and strengthening her stakes. I am sure I shall be borne out in the view I have taken, when I point to the Church Endowment and Benefices Plurality Acts, and the various acts for carrying into effect the reports of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners: to the efforts of the two valuable societies which have been established for providing additional Curates and Pas