A Sermon Preached in York Minister, on St. Bartholomew's Day, Friday, August 24, 1877 on the Occasion of the Consecration of the Right Rev. Rowley Hill, Lord Bishop of Sodor and Man

In August 1877, a remarkable crowd gathered in York Minster to witness the consecration of a new bishop. Hundreds arrived by special trains from Sheffield, filling every seat and forcing many to stand in the aisles or peer through glass partitions. The preacher, moved by the sheer number of earnest faces, describes the bustling communion table where men, women, and even mechanics shared the Lord’s Supper amid an atmosphere of reverent chaos.

The sermon itself leans on the core doctrines of conversion, justification by faith, and the empowering presence of the Holy Ghost. Its language is plain yet heartfelt, urging listeners to cling to biblical promises and let grace shape their daily labor. The vivid account captures a moment when simple, loving ministry sparked a collective outpouring of devotion, leaving an impression that resonated far beyond the cathedral walls.