which we answer, " I will apply myself thereto, the Lord being my helper."
These are the promises which we make before God in the most solemn manner at the time of our ordination. Now I would ask, Can any human being entertain a doubt, whether, in making these promises, we have not " well said all that we have spoken ?" Can any of us say, that too much has been required of us ? Do we not see and feel, that, as the honour of the office is great, so is the difficulty of performing it aright, and the danger of performing it in a negligent and heartless manner ? If a man undertake any office that requires indefatigable ex- ertion, and that involves the temporal interests of men to a great extent, we expect of that man the utmost diligence and care. If, then, such be ex- pected of the servants of men, where temporal inte- rests only are affected, what must be expected of the servants of God, where the eternal interests of men, and the everlasting honour of God, are so deeply concerned ? I say again, We cannot but approve the promises we have made ; and, methinks, God himself, when he heard our vows, expressed his ap- probation of them, saying, " They have well said all that they have spoken."
We come, lastly, to mention our prayers, which were offered to God on that occasion.
And here we have one of the most pious and affecting institutions that ever was established upon earth. The bishop, who during the preceding ex- hortation and questions has been seated in his chair, now rises up, and in a standing posture makes his earnest supplication to God in behalf of all the can- didates, in these words: "Almighty God, who hath given you this will to do all these things, grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same ; that he may accomplish his work which he has be- gun in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." After this a request is made to the whole congrega- tion then present, to offer up their prayers in secret to God, and to make their supplications to God for