A

SERMON,

PREACHED IN RIPON MINSTER AT THE ORDINATION

HELD BY THE

LORD BISHOP OF RIPON,

ON SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 1839.

BY THE REV.

CHARLES DODGSON, M.A.

LATE STUDENT OF CHRIST CHURCH, OXFORD,

AND EXAMINING CHAPLAIN TO THE BISHOP OF RIPON.

PUBLISHED BY DESIRE OF THE LORD BISHOP.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR J. G. & F. RIVINGTON,

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND WATERLOO PLACE, PALL MALL;

& SOLD BY PARKER, OXFORD; THIRLWAY, RIPON;

& HADDOCK, WARRINGTON.

1839.

TO THE

RIGHT REVEREND FATHER IN GOD,

CHARLES THOMAS, LORD BISHOP OF RIPON,

THIS SERMON,

PREACHED BY HIS APPOINTMENT,

HONOURED BY HIS APPROBATION,

AND

PUBLISHED BY HIS DESIRE,

IS, WITH SINCERE RESPECT AND AFFECTION,

INSCRIBED.

A 2

A

SERMON,

&c.

"Preach the Gospel."-MARK xvi. 15.

AMONG the various means of grace, ordained by God and honoured by His blessing, the faithful ministry of the Word must ever be regarded as holding a distinguished place. The history of the Christian Church has borne full testimony to its efficacy; and although, in accordance with the prophetic picture drawn by our Lord Himself, much of the seed has fallen "by the way side," "among the thorns," or "on the rock," still there has never been wanting good ground, prepared by the Divine Sower for its reception, wherein it has taken root, and "brought forth fruit," according to the measure of the Spirit which God has given to every man, some sixty, some an hundred fold.”

66

some thirty,