Million Book Collection - The Fishers of Men Ministries

DEATH OF ALFRED. 97
obscure in origin V William of Malmesbury erroneously
ascribes the invention of the Hundred to
Alfred, but possibly Alfred was the first to utilise
this, as he did other forces, already existing.
After fifteen years of prosperity, Alfred was again
brought o face to face with the Dane in 893, * but the
last four years of his reign were years of peace and
its noble works. When, in 901, he wTas called away
at the early age of fifty-two, he left a legacy of real
power and prestige to his successors. Civilisation
had begun to warm the land, and we may trace, as
in embryo, some of the institutions which now make
our country what it is. The measuring of time, the
foundation of England's naval, social and political
power, the Christian spirit which pervades our
national sense, and has survived even the withering
blast of heresy, may be distinctly traced to Alfred.
In his day, however, far removed as he was from
political unity, the spiritual inheritance was one.
Dissentient sects had not raised their Babel of
tongues, and it was easier for men to come to the
Divine Bridegroom through the strong voice of the
Church speaking in the wilderness.
Edward the Elder, Athelstan, and Edgar were
all worthy successors of Alfred. The Pope had
reprehended Plegmund, the Archbishop of Canterbury,
for his remissness in allowing bishoprics to
remain vacant. About 909, accordingly, Plegmund
proposed in a national council a multiplication of
1 Stubbs, Select Charter*, p. 68.
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