A brother in sacred song as well as in Pastoral efficiency, with Presbyters like Herbert, Keble, and Croswell; be still a brother in that heavenly gift as well as in Episcopal Authority, as you take your seat with Ambrose, Gregory Nazianzen, Ken and Doane. Win souls to Jesus by every power that God has given you, and through every avenue that He has opened to the hearts of man.
The bearer of an honored name, you will to-day consecrate anew to the Triune God the treasures of your intellect and heart, in all their varied richness, and pour them out afresh at the foot of the Cross. For the hill of Ecclesiastical eminence like Calvary of old, is crowned with THE CROSS; and they who, in God’s providence, ascend through the grades of the Christian Ministry to the highest point of Churchly authority, will find themselves lifted up, not for self exaltation but for self crucifixion. “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you””“these words embrace, within their mysterious scope, suffering and sacrifice, as well as authority and dignity. A Bishop’s true crozier is the Cross; his Mitre the crown of thorns: his Ring the stigmata of self sacrifice; and his message of peace and good will the end as well as the beginning of his Holy Ministry.”
Actually, lovely writing.
They don’t make em like that anymore.
For just a moment there, I was thinking I was in an alternate universe where TEC was orthodox. Then I looked at the date on the sermon.
I did not think that sounded like George Councell.
How depressing. I was deceived into thinking this was a current sermon and that an Episcopal bishop had had an attack of temporary interest in the Trinity, the Incarnation, and the Cross.
It was not just the content that alerted the reader early on. It was the confidence in the Christian message. Many churches – not just TEC – seem to have lost that confidence.
To all bishops: Read and heed!