Untitled - Electric Scotland

KXTRACTS FROM DIARY 273
joy of thy Lord. After 60 years of faithful ministerial service, he
is freed from its burdens and cares, and has quietly fallen asleep
in Jesus. A great loss. For all who knew the good old man
venerated him. Every newspaper I have since read speaks of
him with respect. An anxious time for the Church. The office
indeed a difficult one. O Lord, whosoever is appointed to it,
guide him by Thy Holy Spirit."
"WEEM, PERTHSHIRE, Sunday, 2^th Sept. 1862. Last night
brought the announcement of Longley s appointment. . . . My
anxiety is lest the Evangelical and Liberal sections of the Church
may lose what they have gained of late years. But all my
thoughts have been turned in another channel by the most un
expected receipt, before afternoon service, of a letter from Palmer-
ston, offering me the Archbishopric of York. I should have at
once declined to leave my great post in London for this quieter
sphere had it not been that I have some fears as to my health,
and the difficulties which beset the final settlement of what are to
be the limits of the London diocese."
"
PALACE, NORWICH, Sunday night, $th October 1862. An
anxious week ended. From Weem to Lochearnhead. From Lochearnhead
to Drummond Castle, where we spent two evenings. Most
interesting and peculiar old place. From Drummond Castle to
Harviestoun, where, on Thursday morning, consecrated the dear
old burial ground. A solemn thing thus to stand and pray over
so many On
of our dead. . . .
Thursday night to York. Friday,
inspected Bishopthorpe and came on to Peterborough. On
Saturday to this place. At the Ely station wrote to Palmerston
declining the Archbishopric of York, and as we drove through the
streets of Norwich stopped and posted the letter. I had scarcely
written it, at Ely, when Mr. Walpole came from the train to ask
whether he was to congratulate me. He seemed quite taken
aback on hearing that I had declined, and so has every one ; but
1 feel satisfied that it was the right course. No doubt the deci
sion has been very difficult. Everywhere
the news of the offer
having been made has preceded us, and all friends have thought
we would accept. We have sought God s guidance. On Friday
night at Peterborough I suffered great anxiety and could scarcely
sleep. But the fact is this : there could be no reason for the
change except on the plea of health ;
and an inspection of Bishop
thorpe, and fyll consideration of the nature of the duties and the
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