Think of the advantages it would confer upon us! What stability would it not give the Church." "I cannot exactly see what peculiar stability it would give the Church," replied Clement, "with the exception of mere numbers alone." "How so--what do you mean ?" "Why, sir," replied Clement, "if we had the numbers you speak of to-morrow, we would be certainly worse off than we are today.

They could only pay us our tithes, and that they do as it is; if they formed a portion, and the largest portion they would form, of our church, think of the immense number of clergy they would require to look to their religious wants--the number of churches and chapels of ease that must be built--the number of livings that must be divided--nay, my dear sir, in addition to this, you may easily see, that for every one bishop now, we should have at least four, then, and that the incomes would diminish in proportion.

As it is now, sir, we have the tithes without the trouble of laboring for them, but it would be a different case in your new position of affairs." Mr.Lucre, who, in the heat of his zeal, had neither permitted himself to see matters in this light, nor to perceive that Clement's arguments concealed, under a grave aspect, something of irony and satire, looked upon his curate with dismay--the smooth and rosy cheek got pale, as did the whole purple face down to the third chin, each of which reminded one of the diminished rainbows in the sky, if we may be allowed to except that they were not so heavenly.
"Clement," said he, "you amaze me--that is a most exceedingly clear view of the matter.

Transfer them! no such thing, it would be a most dreadful calamity, unless church property were proportionately increased; but, could not that be done, Clement?
Yes," said he, exulting at the idea, as one of which he ought to feel proud, "that could and would be done--besides I relish the multiplication of the bishoprics, under any circumstances, and therefore we will proceed with the Reformation.

At all events, it would be a great blessing to get rid of Popery, which we would do, if we could accomplish this glorious project." "I must confess, sir," replied Mr.Clement gravely, "that I have never been anxious for a mere change of speculative opinions in any man, unless when accompanied by a corresponding improvement in his life and morals.