"The first question here put to the candidate for holy orders is, 'Do you trust that you are inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost, to take upon you this office and ministration, to serve God for the promoting of His glory and the edifying of His people ?' Now, Meredith, I ask you to think, whether, with such sentiments as you have just expressed, you can dare to answer, '_I trust so ?_'" "I never thought very seriously about it," said Meredith, rather abruptly.
"But you know these things must be thought of seriously and prayerfully.
It is required of a man in every station of life, that he be faithful and diligent, serving the Lord, and whoever does not remember this, must answer for his neglect of such duty to his Maker.

It will not do to say that our individual example can be of no importance; the command, 'Occupy till I come,' is laid upon each one of us; but what must be said of him who, in a careless, light frame of mind, takes these holy vows upon him, knowing in his own mind that he intends to break them; that his sole desire to be put into the priest's office is to eat a morsel of bread?
What shall be said of him who goes into the house of God, and in the presence of His people declares that it is his intention, 'to search gladly and willingly for the sick and poor of his parish, to relieve their necessities; to frame his own life and the lives of his family according to the doctrine of Christ; to be diligent in prayers and in reading of the Holy Scriptures, laying aside the study of the world and the flesh,' and yet knows that he intends to enjoy himself in the things of this world--a very hireling who forgets that his master's eye is upon him.

It is a fearful thing.

It is coming before the Almighty with a lie.

Nay, hear me a little longer.