THE SORROWS OF A BISHOP.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4794, 3 August 1876, Page 3

THE SORROWS OF A BISHOP.

" A Sinner," writing to the Pall Mall Gazette, draws the following amusing picture of the troubles that beset the life of a bishop : "Now, of all men, a bishop seems to me the most to be pitied, for from being a bishop he can take no holiday. A barrister, when the long vacation comes, caD throw his wig up to the ceiling or at his clerk's head; a physician can forget to shake his head; a solicitor can send his clients to the study of their papers; even a Rugby master can forget the universe and allow-the universe to forget him. From his respectable piety a bishop has no relief. Men of all other trades, when on an outing, can leave their work behind them. Where can a bishop go where he will not find souls? In this respect it may be objected that he is no worse off than the poorest parson. But a parson can, if he likes, when out for a holiday, so disguise himself as to look like any other Christian. A bishop is, as it were, for ever tied to his own apron strings. He has no real holiday, for a holiday is only enjoyed when the mind has a thorough change. He dare not begin his vacation by hustling his chaplain out of doors, and throwing his "Hymns Ancient and Modern')" after him. He dare not delight his children by making his apron into a kite, and his la3t sermon into its tail. He dare not take off his black silk stockings and paddle in the sea. He dare not, on a hot Sunday afternoon, lie on his back on a tombstone and listen to the distant drone of the country vicar's sermon. He dare not sit on a quiet alehouse bench, and drink a pot of 'porter out of its native pewter. As'Johnson says, 'A bishop has nothing to do at a tippling-house. It is not, indeed, immoral in him to go to- a tavern; neither would it be immoral in him to whip a top in Grosvenor-square; but, if he did, Ijhope the boys would fall upon him and apply the whip to him.' We all know what answer a judge would give if in his vacation he were asked take upon himself some difficult piece of arbitration. What bishop when out for his holiday, if- pressed by the vicar to preach a sermon to his congregation, would venture to answer, ' Preach to them ! I will see them h—ng—d first.' And yet what man leads a harder life than your bishop of to-day ? What man more deserves a thorough change ? What with ordinations, visitations, confirmations, sermons, and addresses, he is for months and months kept in a state of fervent, I might say of ebullient, piety. He has not only to be pious in himself, but a cause of piety to others. He has always to be earnest, even when he ought to be quietly digesting his dinner. He is worried by countless heresies and questions of ritual. He is ever oppressed with the feeling that his diocese expects him to answer Darwin,' and he hardly knows what answer to make. His lot is indeed a most unenviable one, and it excites my sihcerest pity."