never very attractive, being always chillily calm and almost provokingly equable in phraseology. We do not criticise sharply or rudely, where (as in this case) the intention of the author is so good; whatever we may think of his actual performance.

MOST

OST welcome to all Anglican parsons who are troubled with Wesleyans in their parishes, will be the third edition of Mr. Frederick Hockin's John Wesley and Modern Wesleyanism (London: Hayes), for it contains a long roll of facts, interspersed with some very powerful and conclusive arguments against this troublesome and mischievous sect. That part which proves John Wesley's belief and practice regarding prayers for the dead is most ably put. Indeed the whole volume is very fairly and faithfully done by a man of principle. The passage on p. 36, however, is most unfortunate. Mr. Hockin, quoting from Wesley, writes concerning the B.V.M. :-" We do not think it lawful to give that honour to her, which belong not to the Creature, and doth equal her with the Redeemer." On which we may ask Is there any body of Christian people who ever thought or dreamt of giving such honour? Mr. Hockin implies that this is so with Roman Catholics, but he is under a delusion. If he doubts our assertion, let him write to Dr. Vaughan, Bishop of Plymouth, and put the question. When an author writes slovenly and inaccurately on one subject, without inquiry and without knowledge, too many people infer, and reasonably infer, that if he has been equally careless and inaccurate on other questions, his book may be practically worthless. His account of the death of the Church Herald, on this same page, is totally and altogether inaccurate.

HA

Endications of Current Opinion.

"We all like to see what the World says; though, perhaps, the World's sayings would not be so highly regarded, did we know who guided the pen and registered the opinion.”—COLERIDGE.

M. LOYSON'S REFORM.

(From the Weekly Register, July 1, 1876).

Père Hyacinthe is one of the most recent examples of the advocates of blending contradictions. The substance of his specches, delivered in The Church is my authority; but I am commissioned by God-I do not London, might be conveyed in some such formula as the following:precisely know how-to teach it what it ought to teach me. General Councils are binding in their decisions; but I am superior to General Councils. Celibacy is far above marriage; therefore, I am right in preferring to be married, and the Church is wrong in reproving me. To be a Reformer, the first Apostolic credential is to be exactly like everybody else; and since most persons like to get married, it is clear that I must be an apostle. The exceptional power of the Church is to decree dogma; but it is my exceptional power to change it. Every one who thinks the Church needs reforming should begin by proclaiming his disobedience; in this way it is manifest that all men may be reformers, and so there will be no Church to reform. Authority is only vested in the Church up to the point where each Catholic approves it, but as soon as any Catholic withholds his approval he must give lectures in London to excommunicated Protestants, and call the Pope to the bar of their judgment. "The Church possesses a pure faith, which has spread itself over the world" (see the reports of the speeches); "but there have been abuses both of dogma and discipline;" these abuses it is obvious that some one gentleman must rectify, and I am the gentleman to do it. I have just married, and therefore you detect my single purpose, my purely disinterested motive. "The Church is not to be condemned because dogmatic" (see again the reports of the speeches) "for a Church must be dogmatic to exist;" only I am more dogmatic than the Church, and consequently I am much more Catholic. I need not say, too, that I am much more Divine. The promises were made to me, not to the Church. The sum of the matter is this: that I, Père Hyacinthe, who have been a great preacher, have got into a great scrape through disobedience. I would persist in preaching politics when my Superior forbad me, and through this fault I have gradually come to grief. I am now, therefore,

does the Archbishop of Canterbury; and, doubtless, his estimable lady. Mr. Gladstone is charmed to find in me an auxiliary to his leisure contributions against Popery. Dean Stanley and the Duke of Argyll, Mr. Goschen and the Marchioness of Ailesbury, have all honoured me with seats in the hall." What more can you want in the way of testimony? It is true that every heretic that ever lived, from Cerinthus down to Luther or Döllinger, have said precisely and almost verbally what I say now, and yet the Church is unchanged. But eighteen centuries are nothing. I am everything. In me you behold the true Reformer!

AVING obviously felt the want of such a book as Mr. T. P. Garnier has compiled, by being brought into contact with Dissenters of all sorts, he has written because of his practical needs and from his heart-Church and Dissent: An Appeal to Holy Scripture (London: Hodges), which is a well-fitted for a reformer. My wife shares most cordially my opinions. So intended publication. It is neither philosophical, learned nor deep. Nor is the style very polished. It has been penned from the standing-point of a moderate High Churchman, and contains many arguments which it would puzzle any Dissenter -unless he was of the pure political breed-to answer; and then no doubt Impudence will do the work of Argument. Some of the tu quoque retorts are very forcible; and Mr. Garnier is always fair to his opponents. The weak part of his reasoning lies in the obvious fact that everything urged upon Dissenters by him might, with a double force, be urged by Roman Catholics on Mr. Garnier. If our English Bishops, having given up their ancient jurisdiction to Lord Penzance, cannot revise his decisions, even should they dislike themwhere is our appeal to the Primitive Church, and where are all our grand theories and talk? Why, gone to the dogs. THE

it.

"

HE first number of the Christian Apologist (Williams and Norgate) has reached us, and we are pleased to receive Mr. J. C. Earle's attractive paper on "The Spiritual Body" is the best. That by Mr. De Lisle on "Unity," and the brief criticism on the Church Quarterly, and its article on are so very brief that their important subjects "Miracles cannot be, and are not, adequately treated. Mr. Henslow's article on "The Nature of Scientific Proofs," is ably written and to the point; but extreme brevity is its one fault. The Editor winds up with a set of discursive thoughts on "The Oxford Movement and Infidelity," which do not throw any great light either on the present or the future. There is, however, a frankness, a fairness, and an absence of strong and uncharitable language throughout, which, together with the names of the authors of contributions, give promise of success to this young and interesting serial.

MR.

R. PICKERING has done well to reprint The Literary Remains of Catherine Maria Fanshawe, with notes by the late Mr. Harness, for they will not be interesting only to those few persons now living who remember the brilliant literary circle in which, in the earlier part of the present century, this accomplished lady moved, but to many others. Her Enigma on the letter H, so often attributed to Byron, is here given in its authorized form; while the poems generally are marked by grace, good taste, and sweetness. Some are powerful, others are witty and pointed. The Imitation of Wordsworth," on p. 69, is a poetical gem of the first water. This reprint should be preserved by all collectors of poetry.

OUR PRESENT DIFFICULTIES.
(From the Guardian, May 31.)

Sir,-There seems to be a feeling amongst many of the laity as well as the clergy that, in this grave crisis of the Church, the leaders of the Catholic party should give the key-note of future action. Many issues have been raised in connection with the important question which is now agitating the ecclesiastical world-how the Public Worship Regulation Act is to be met? If this question be not handled in a definite, determined way, there is great fear of our coming to a dead-lock.

One point seems to have been overlooked in the discussion of this matter. We have contented ourselves hitherto with expressing our unqualified disapproval of the Erastian measure, to which, unhappily, the Bishops almost unanimously gave their sanction; but surely we should not ignore what I will call the positive side of the question. Conscientious disobedience to what we believe to be unjust and partial laws should be accompanied with the profession of obedience to a properly constituted authority. What this authority is the chief men amongst us have not yet declared. No Church can exist without some seat of authority and jurisdiction. Is it, then, Convocation, or the diocesan synod, or the personal judgment of individual Bishops, which we are to recognise as our authority in matters of doctrine and ritual? We want to know clearly what we are to fight for, as well as whom we are to fight against-whom we are to obey, as well as whom we are to how any united and healthy action is to be hoped for in the future. At disobey. Till some conclusion is come to on this point, I do not see present, every one perseveres in defending his post as best he can in his own way. But this isolated warfare cannot succeed,-cannot bear the shock of the battle now urged against the upholders of the old faith. What is wanted is consolidation on a common basis, subject to an all must be bound, however (as individuals) they may in this or that intelligent legitimate authority to which all may appeal, and by which

matter of detail disagree.

It would help to throw light over our path, and inspire us with fresh courage, if those to whom, from their age and experience, we are accus

tomed to defer would make it clear to the members of the Church of

England in these perplexing times what is the true representative body

whose office it is to define her teaching and interpret her Ordinal. İ, for one, should rejoice to obtain an exact and authoritative explanation of that part of my ordination vow which binds me "always so to minister the doctrine and sacraments and the discipline of Christ as the Lord hath commanded, and as this Church and realm hath received the same, according to the commandment of God." J. H. A. GIBSON, Brighton, May, 1876.

DERTH, and the Diocese of St. Andrew's in Scotland,

have long felt the burden of having for diocesan, a learned but irritable and impetuous gentleman who voted himself into the Episcopal chair. Of Dr. Charles Wordsworth the safe and moderate Scottish Guardian is at last constrained thus to write :-"It is notorious that no one of our Bishops is less entitled than the Bishop of St. Andrew's to constitute himself an exponent of the sentiments of our Clergy and Laity. He is, we regret to say, the most unpopular, as he I thank you has been the least successful, of our rulers. He has touched nothing which he has not marred. But he has never before meddled with so little excuse or with so much offensiveness."

This refers to a very gross attack recently made by him upon the Lord Primus, who in preaching at the Consecration of the Cathedral of the Isles, spoke of the Communion over which he presides as "the Church of Scotland." Bishop Wordsworth, who is a Bishop of this Communion, with the most glaring and shameful inconsistency, maintains that to the "Scotch Establishment" alone belongs the right to use this term. While getting no credit from Presbyterians for such a proposition, he has brought a hornet's nest about his ears from his own people. Canon Weldon, a very moderate man, (after words of strong condemnation,) writes thus:-"I have long thought that the Scottish Episcopal Church wantedwhat Bishop Wordsworth so unhappily sneers at-a Primate, who would be able proprio motu, to take such steps as would prevent the scandals from which portions of the Diocese of St. Andrew's have so long suffered; and of which this letter spread broadcast over Scotland is the last. And I trust it will be a warning to those who are appointed to rearrange our Code of Canons, to take care that a clergyman, and much more a Bishop, who should so far forget himself as to attack in inimical papers the head of the Church, shall at once be called upon either publicly to retract his mis-statements, or to resign." When we remember, as we do too accurately, the policy of this unhappy Bishop, in Mr. Cheyne's Case, in the Case of the late Bishop Forbes, and specially in that of the noble and self-denying Canon Humble, (whom God rest!) we cannot but be satisfied that the Episcopal Communion in Scotland, rightly and justly measuring the tricks and antics of the least-respected of its prelates, would be obviously delighted to be rid of him.

A

frustrated. But we believe, and we have every reason for believing, that what we have been doing for these many years past is simply the fulfilment of God's Will. [!!!] It is, of course, a happy thing that our will has worked in harmony with His." The most noxious cant ever penned is here surpassed. Chadband in a chasuble, hysterically chanting out his convenient conviction-to the admiration of young Ritualists-is certainly a subject for a painting.

The Catholic Revival at Home.

Bishop Macrorie is announced to preach at St. Peter's, London Docks, on Sunday evening next, on behalf of his Diocese.

We have been asked to state that the annual "Commemoration" at

Trinity College, Glenalmond, will not be held this year.

We learn that the poetical inscription over the porch of the Vicarage of Morwenstow has been restored to its place at the request of the present Vicar.

We are informed that the Prince of Wales has intimated his willingness to pay one hundred pounds annually for five years towards founding a Bishoprick in Cornwall.

The Bishop of London has offered the Living of Paddington to the Rev. Canon Duckworth; but, owing to the weak state of his health, it is doubtful if he will accept it.

We hear that a son of Lord Nelson has been received into the Roman Church. The reception into the Roman Obedience of Mrs. Mills, wife of the Rev. A. W. Mills, Vicar of St. Erth, Hayle, is also announced.

The vicarage of St. Stephen's, South Lambeth, vacated by Cauon Titcomb, has been offered by Mrs. Kemble to the Rev. C. Campe, Vicar

hill.

We hear, with satisfaction, that Mr. Thomas Collins of Knaresborough, sometime M.P. for Boston, will be a candidate for the London SchoolBoard, at the coming election, on the principle of economy for the ratepayers and fairplay to Church schools.

It is to the Bishop of Peterborough's credit that he has just collated an efficient and accomplished ex-Naval Chaplain (who has long been ministering in the Diocese of Peterborough), to the vacant living of Welford. The new vicar, the Rev. T. Gifford Gallwey, M.A., is deservedly popular, both as a parish priest and a preacher.

ST. MARY'S, CHARTERHOUSE.-A correspondent of the City Press states that some Ritualistic ornaments of a "careful" character have been introduced into the church of St. Mary, Charterhouse. They con

MAN of the name of Chamberlain, holding the proud of Christ Church, Torquay, formerly minister of Christ Chapel, Maidaand distinguished position of Mayor of Birmingham, has for some time past been labouring, with considerable success, to earn notoriety for himself in that charming and delightful city, so famous as the home of shams and swindles, by using his position-such as it was-to promote the cause of Pagan education, to slander the Church, and generally to uphold the noble and blessed principles of Liberalism. This same person, elated by the applause of Brummagem Blackguardism, has lately acquired a still further celebrity by publicly using scurrilous and insulting language of the coarsest possible description towards the Statesmen at present administering the Queen's Government. So far, so good. No one can reasonably entertain any objection against the good citizens of Birmingham on the ground of their devotion to one, who, no doubt, is a most efficient representative of that superfine Radicalism for which they have so long and so justly been celebrated. But the zeal of Brummagem has now taken a new and somewhat inconvenient turn. It has just elected its hero to represent it in the House of Commons. We cannot conceal our regret at this determination. To begin with, we are sorry for the distinguished and eminent man himself, who is endeared to the people of Birmingham by the possession of qualities transcendently admirable in their eyes, but which will scarcely be appreciated outside the limits of that earthly paradise. And we also pity the House of Commons itself, the tone of whose deliberations, it has very commonly been supposed, ought to be not below the level of that to be found in the lowest class of pothouse. The principle-so excellent in itself of the representation of all classes in Parliament, may easily be pressed too far.

ONE

NE of our cheap Church contemporaries, having been in our pages most properly taken to task by Mr. Urquhart, and elsewhere by other people, for one of the most shameful and principle-less articles ever penned, now comes forward, as a Ritualistic Chadband, with two towels (one round his neck, and the other to mop up his penitential tears) in the following truly goody and hyper-pious style :-"It is, of course, taken for granted that the Divine Ruler of all things approves of the religious revival that is taking place in His Church; in other words, that what has been done hitherto has been in accordance with His Will. [!!!] If it were only in accordance with our will [i.e., the Publisher's and the two Editors,], it is quite as likely to be opposed to His as not [we don't doubt it,] and if so, we need not wonder at its being

sist of emblazened, crossed, and otherwise ornamental bannerets, suspended high on either side of the church; an antependium of crimson stuff centred" by a golden cross in relief, and of a large square piece of gold-embroidered silk with raised cross in connection with the communion-table.

MUNIFICENT BEQUESTS BY A CLERGYMAN.- Donations have been received by the S.P.G. of £1,000; the National Society for the Education of the Poor in the Principles of the Established Church, £1,000; the the Charity of the Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy, £1,000; the Incorporated Church Building Society, £1,000; the S.P.C.K., £1,000; Additional Curates' Society, £500; the Clergy Orphan Corporation, £500; the Friend of the Clergy Corporation, £500; and St. Augustine Missionary College at Canterbury, £500-the donor in each case being the Rev. J Griffith, who has besides contributed many thousand pounds to the works of restoration now in progress in Rochester Cathedral, in which till recently he held a Canonry.

THE CORPUS CHRISTI FEAST AT ARUNDEL.-On the last Sunday within the Octave of the Feast of Corpus Christi, that festival was celebrated by the Roman Catholics of Arundel, with great splendour and devotion. The Blessed Sacrament was borne from the splendid R.C. Church of St. Philip to the Castle, in the court-yard of which Benediction was given. The canopy was carried by the Luke of Norfolk, Lord Herries and two other R.C. gentlemen. The bells of the parish of St. Nicholas rang a feeling and Christian propriety-while the streets were strewn with joyful peal in honour of the event an excellent restoration of good flowers. Not the slightest instance of irreverence or disrespect occurred amongst the awed and interested crowds in the street, and several members of the English Church joined in the procession, many of the hymns during which were sung in English. Last year, an endeavour was made to stir up Protestant bigotry against this most Catholic function, but good sense prevailed, and now the happiest feeling exists in the town on the subject. For such an observance is evidently popular and acceptable.

SALISBURY THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE.-The celebration of the second Triennial Festival of the Salisbury Diocesan Theological College on Tuesday week was doubly interesting as being made the occasion of the dedication of the handsome new buildings which have been recently added to the college. It will be remembered that the late Bishop Hamilton was enabled to found this institution through the munificence of an anony

with its clubs and band; our confraternities of St. Peter and the Good Shepherd, for communicants; the Guilds of St. Katharine, the Holy Child, and St. Agatha, for the young; the Hostel for our aged communicants; the St. Peter's Club and Kitchen, where meals can be had on moderate terms; the Penny Bank for small savings; the Friend of Labour Society, for advancing loans; the Needlewomen's Work Society, for providing work for poor needlewomen; the Mothers' Meeting; the Clothing Clubs for adults and children; the Burial Guild; the St. Peter's Branch of the Church Temperance Society; Communicant, Confirmation, and Bible Classes, in all of which more than 1,200 persons, young and old, participate in the religious, educational, charitable, and social advantages, which the church, by her varied machinery, provides for them."

THE NEW CHURCH OF ALL SAINTS', STOKE NEWINGTON.-On Saturday this church, which is situated in what were once the "Green Lanes" of Stoke Newington, but are now only so by name, was consecrated by the Bishop of London. Since the year 1871 a mission has been carried on in the district, and services held by the Vicar-designate, the Rev. Henry Shrimpton, in a temporary building. On Saturday morning the Blessed Sacrament was celebrated in this building at eight o'clock, and at halfpast eleven the Consecration Service took place. A large number of clergy were present and at the close of the Consecration Office Matins was sung by a well trained choir. The music was Anglican, but as plain chants were used the congregation joined very fairly in the singing. The sermon was preached by the Bishop. It was a wellmeaning discourse, but does not call for any special notice. A luncheon followed the service, presided over by Mr. Hubbard, M.P., but the Bishop was unable to be present. The first toast was that of "Church and Queen" and was most enthusiastically received. The speeches, however, were far too long and tedious for a sultry, hot July day. But this remark does not apply to that of the Rev. T. Hugo, who gave some good advice to the laity about supporting their clergy liberally with their alms, remarking that half-starved clergy could never do their work efficiently. If the laity imagined that men could work better when they were only half-fed he advised them to try the plan themselves. On Mr. Hubbard vacating the chair his place was filled by the Rev. T. Jackson, Rector of Stoke Newington, who in very kind terms proposed the health of the Vicar, which was drank with much enthusiasm, and quite overcame the Rev. gentleman, who for a time was unable to reply, but on recovering himself and averring that he had nothing to say managed to say a very great deal. At Evensong Bishop Claughton was the preacher, and an octave of services with special preachers is being held, amongst them the Rector of Stoke Newington, the Rev. T. Hugo, and Prebendary Burrows. The church has cost about £10,000 exclusive of the reredos for which £400 will have to be raised before it can be proceeded with, and a sum of £800 is still due on the Church. The nave is fitted up with open seats of deal, stained and varnished, and the arrangement of the chancel comprises clergy and choir seats; three sedilia and piscina on the south wall and credence on the north wall. The altar, which is of oak, stands on a foot-pace, and is elevated eight steps above the level of the nave floor. It was furnished on Saturday with a pair of handsome candlesticks (with candles) and a jewelled cross, to which the Bishop made no objection. Of course as these stood on the altar at the time of consecration they cannot at any future time be legally removed. We hear that the erection of the church is mainly due to the exertions of two laymen residing in the district, namely, Messrs. R. L. Spicer and J. Wallace, Hon. Secs. to the Building Committee. Richard Foster, Esq., and Edward Thornton, Esq., have been munificent donors to the church.

Rector of St. George's, Botolph-lane), has been for five years in sole charge; but owing partly to the church not being finished, though mainly to the objection of the Vicar of St. James's to allow it to be consecrated, the Bishop of Winchester at the last moment had to decline to open it. A daily paper, however, not being aware of the hitch that had occurred, gave a somewhat lengthy account of the service, and stated that the Bishop preached an "appropriate sermon on the occasion."-Two stained glass windows have been placed in the church of Waltham St. Lawrence, Twyford, Berks; subject the Te Deum, with the figures of various martyrs. The windows are richly coloured. The chancel has also been decorated.-We hear that out of the £4,000 required to carry out the proposed memorial to the late Dean Hook £1,950 has been subscribed. Of this sum £500 has been set apart for erecting a memorial brass in Chichester Cathedral, which is to be placed in one of the arches of the south choir aisle, opposite Bishop Sherborne's tomb. A clock with chiming apparatus, and a bell on which to strike the hours, the cost of which will be £795, is also to be placed in the campanile of the cathedral.-The Bishop of Rochester has been confined to his home during the past week, suffering from an attack of bronchitis. It is announced that Lord Charles Hamilton, brother to the Duke of Hamilton, has become a Carmelite monk, and takes part in the services at the Carmelite Chapel at Kensington.-On the eve of St. Peter's Day a new organ was opened in East Dereham Church.-A new church at Victoria Park, Rusholme, dedicated to St. Chrysostom, has been opened under a licence from the Bishop of Manchester.-We quote the following from the Rock:-"The Lichfield Diocesan Home Missionary Festival was held last week on the anniversary of the Queen's accession. In the morning a large procession of surpliced clergy, headed by a cross, wended its way to the cathedral, where prayers were intoned by the Rev. T. Lund, and a sermon preached by Bishop Selwyn, before whom the pastoral staff was borne by one of his lordship's sons."

EAST-END CHURCHES.

(By a Roving Correspondent.)

Noticing in the PILOT, a few weeks ago, that the Clergy of the Deanery of Stepney had met and passed a resolution, that the demolition of the City churches was desirable on the ground that they failed to attract congregations, I would remark there is not a City church at which I have not attended several services, and so I thought I would visit some of the churches not located in the City, where the people actually dwell, and see how they attended the services, and how far the churches were filled. So I have visited several East-end churches, not only once, twice, or thrice, but many times. And now, briefly, I'll describe what I have seen, and I think that you and your readers will agree with me, that if the City churches are to be demolished because they fail to attract congregations, the same holds good with many of the East-end churches. There is, perhaps, one difference: the site on which the City churches stand are, to use the words of the author of "Botteville Bells," "worth bags of Southern gold;" those at the East-end, perhaps, only being worth smaller bags of silver. Thus far preface; now I begin with facts. On several occasions I have visited-rather, let me say I have attended services at-nine East-end churches. Let me begin with the parish church of St. George's-in-the-East. The population is about 10,000; the Rector is a very popular man, and a good preacher, the Rev. Harry Jones; his opinions are generally reported as Broad. He is assisted by two Curates; and I have heard it rumoured that the senior Curate was a member of the Church Association; the junior, a member of the C.B.S. The services are confined to Sundays-morning, afternoon, and evening, with a weekly celebration of the Blessed Sacrament, and an early celebration on the first Sunday of the month. The seats are all open and free; there is a good choir; the hymns and tunes are very popular. The church is estimated to hold 1,500 people, and 1 believe

chapel.

FRAGMENTA VARIA.-It is rumoured that M. Loyson is about to join the Anglican Communion.-The dispute between the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's Cathedral, as to the filling up of two vacant minor canonries, has been arranged, and an election will be made forthwith.-The Earl of Dudley has given instructions for a new and more elaborate case for the organ recently presented by him to Worcester Cathedral.-A correspondent of the Guardian writes:-"On Whit Sunday evening II am within the mark when I say about 250 adults attend the morning attended the service at Westminster Abbey. The Dean read the Lessons. service, and perhaps 500 the evening. I do not wish to under-estimate In the Second Lesson, which contains St. Paul's enumeration of the numbers, so I'll say 600. That speaks for itself. There is a school close works of the flesh,' the words which, according to the Authorized to the parish church, and on Sundays there are services morning and Version run strife, seditions, heresies,' were changed into 'strife, evening for a class whom it is supposed do not like attending the parish seditions, factions.""-Dr. Hannah, Vicar of Brighton, has been appointed church because of their poverty, &c. Well, count the fingers on your Archdeacon of Lewes, in the place of the Ven. W. B. Otter, deceased.-two hands twice, and you'll have more than the number who attend the At St. Paul's Cathedral last week three Church Societies held their anniversary services. The early celebration of the Blessed Sacrament, largely attended by men of all ages and conditions, in connection with the Association of Lay Helpers, and the anniversary sermon of the Parochial Mission Women taking place on Thursday; while on Friday night the anniversary sermon for the Free and Open Church Association was preached by the Bishop of Chichester.-Festivals of parochial choirs have been held at Southwell, Aylesbury, and Coggeshall, the former noteworthy as being the first held for nine years by the Nottinghamshire Choral Union in the Minster, which is said to have been the home of these gatherings; the second for the hearty welcome accorded the Dean of Lichfield on his first visit to his old county; and the last as showing how Gregorian music is spreading in a purely country district. The annual gathering of the friends of the Wantage Sisterhood took place last week. That at Clewer was most heartily celebrated yesterday. The surplice has been adopted in the pulpit at St. Thomas's, Islington, and by the choir of Sandhurst, Berkshire, as also by the men of the choir of St. Michael on the Mount, Lincoln; but at the meeting of the governors of Christ's Hospital leave was refused by three to two (the majority all being Dissenters) for the boys belonging to the school, eighteen in number, who form a portion of the choir, to be surpliced, though the parishioners and parents desired it.-Mr. Kentish Bache has resigned his office as Unitarian minister at Moreton Hampstead with a view of taking orders in the Anglican Church.-The Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist had been fixed for the consecration of the permanent church of St. Augustine, Bermondsey, of which convenional district the Rev. Malcolm M'Coll (not the Rev. Malcolm MacColl,

Let me take next the district church, called Christ Church, once the fashionable church of the parish. It was built about the year 1847-8, shortly after the Rev. Bryan King became Rector of the parish. He tried to conduct the services of the church according to what he considered strict conformity to the Rubrics; preached in the surplice, and condemned the then notorious sins of the parish-the open shops on Sundays, the glaring immorality which made the parish in those days notorious, and the drunken habits of nearly all classes. Most of the gin palaces and several houses of ill-fame were owned by persons in high station in the parish, and the Rector's bold denunciation of such scandals was distasteful to them: so this district church was built, as it were, in opposition to him, the seats were let at high prices, and the parish lecturer, the Rev. W. Queckett, was appointed Incumbent. Then this church did well, and so it did after Mr. Queckett had been preferred to the Rectory of Warrington, and the Rev. G. H. McGill was appointed his successor. But preaching was the sole object for which people then attended the church, and smooth things were said; their sins were not referred to. It would not have suited them. But the seats were always let, and produced a good income for the Incumbent; so much so, that Mr. McGill refused to commute with the Ecclesiastical Commissioners and receive £300 yearly in lieu of pew-rents. After some years Mr. McGill was preferred, and the Rev. J. Maconechy was presented to the Living (it was a living then). He abolished pew-rents, and substituted the weekly offertory (which, by the way, did not pay). When he entered on the Living the most prominent object in the church was the pulpit; secondly, the reading-desk; thirdly, the clerk's-desk. The