THE

PARISH CHURCH.

7

THE

S.H.1825.

PARISH CHURCH;

OR,

Religion in Britain.

BY THOMAS WOOD, A.M.

AUTHOR OF THE MOSAIC HISTORY, &c. &c.

"It warms my heart,"

When through the wide-spread provinces I stray
Of this fair realm, to view the slender spire
And massy tower from deep embowering shades
Oft rising in the vale, or on the side
Of gently-sloping hills, or loftier placed,
Crowning the woody eminence. It looks

As though we owned a GOD, adored his power,
Revered his wisdom, loved his mercy; deemed
He claims the empire of this lower world,

And marks the deeds of its inhabitants.

It looks as though we deem'd he fills all space,

Present throughout; and bends from heaven's high throne,
With ear attentive to the poor man's prayer.

"

GISBORNE.

ODLE!

LONDON:

PUBLISHED BY LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, & CO.

AND

A. CONSTABLE & CO. EDINBURGH.

1825.

906.

LIVERPOOL:

PRINTED BY GEO: SMITH, TITHEBARN STREET.

PREFACE.

THE design of a Preface is to introduce a work to the attention of the Reader, and is frequently the means of raising his expectation, or lowering his hopes concerning it. Readers are as different in their literary taste, as in the main objects of their secular pursuits. Variety has a powerful charm, and something new is almost irresistible. Style is what some look for, and though it may be employed in decorating a subject of mere imagination, is welcomed with rapture. Some descriptions of character are most pleased with details of facts, and