on any score? If it were possible,
however, that he should be wronged, he has his appeal. Secondly, how can
the patron complain? _His_ case is the same as his presentee's case; his
injuries the same; his relief the same. Besides, if _his_ man is rejected,
it is not the parish man that takes his place. No; but a second man of
his own choice: and, if again he chooses amiss, who is to blame for
_that_? Thirdly, can the congregation complain? They have a _general_
interest in their spiritual guide. But as to the preference for
oratory--for loud or musical voice--for peculiar views in religion--these
things are special: they interest but an exceedingly small minority in any
parish; and, what is worse, that which pleases one is often offensive to
another. There are cases in which a parish would reject a man for being a
married man: some of the parish have unmarried daughters. But this case
clearly belongs to the small minority; and we have little doubt that,
where the objections lay "for cause not shown," it was often for _this_
cause. Fourthly, can the church complain? Her interest is represented, 1,
not by the presentee; 2, not by the patron; 3, not by the congregation;
but 4, by the presbytery. And, whatever the presbytery say, _that_ is
supported. Speaking either for the patron, for the presentee, for the
congregation, or for themselves as conservators of the church, that court
is heard; what more would they have? And thus in turn every interest is
protected. Now the point to be remarked is--that each party in turn has a
separate influence. But on any other plan, giving to one party out of the
four an absolute or unconditional power, no matter which of the four it
be--all the rest have none at all. Lord Aberdeen has reconciled the rights
of patrons for the first time with those of all other parties interested.
Nobody has more than a conditional power. Every body has _that_. And the
patron, as necessity requires, if property is to be protected, has in all
circumstances the reversionary power.

II. _Secondly_, How _were these things done?_ By what means were the hands
of any party strengthened, so as to find this revolution possible?

We seek not to refine; but all moral power issues out of moral forces. And
it may be well, therefore, rapidly to sketch the history of religion,
which is the greatest of moral forces, as it sank and rose in this island
through the last two hundred years.

It is well known that the two great r