. The history of the American Episcopal Church, 1587-1883 . eal among the clergy. In the same ad-dress the bishop presses home upon his brethren the duty of watchingfor the souls of others, as they that are to give account, and bidsthem declare with zeal, with force, with spirit, all the counsel ofGod. The neglect of the sacraments of baptism and the Lords Sup-jier is alluded to, and the clergy are enforced to press upon the peoplethe duty of bringing their children to baptism, and to instruct them asearly as possible in the principles of Christianity with a view to con-firmation. The obligati
. The history of the American Episcopal Church, 1587-1883 . eal among the clergy. In the same ad-dress the bishop presses home upon his brethren the duty of watchingfor the souls of others, as they that are to give account, and bidsthem declare with zeal, with force, with spirit, all the counsel ofGod. The neglect of the sacraments of baptism and the Lords Sup-jier is alluded to, and the clergy are enforced to press upon the peoplethe duty of bringing their children to baptism, and to instruct them asearly as possible in the principles of Christianity with a view to con-firmation. The obligation and the benefit of securing at regularstated times the sacrament is further urged, and the exercise of agodly discipline is commended. It was in this spirit, and with thisclear perception of duty and obligation, that the bishop entered uponhis work. On his first visitation Bishop Madioon found the state of the Churchmoi-e encouraging than he had anticipated. Its progress was retardedand its success prevented by two obstacles,—the spread of infidelity. RT. REV. JAMES MiUISoN, D DOF VIRGINIA. 142 HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN EPISCOPAL CHURCH. and fanaticism. It was a day of religious declension. The love of manywaxed cold. The lack of spiritual life and growth was not coiitinedto the Church. It was in the midst of these signs of a waning faithand general worldliness that the bishop sought to check the spread ofunbelief and fanaticism by the comprehension of all believers in Chris-tianity in the Church. In his address to the Convention of 1793 herefers to this scheme of comprehension, which had, as we have seen,failed to win the approval of the preceding General is no one here present, says the bishop, but must cordiallywish for such a union, provided it did not require a sacritice of those[joints which are deemed essentials by our Church ; from them we havenot the power to retreat. But in such matters as are subject to humanalteration, if, by a candid discussion,
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