Page images
PDF
EPUB
[blocks in formation]

II. Because the Court in question was created without any Synodical assent or consent of the Church, and, therefore, obedience to its decisions is a virtual admission that the Secular Parliament may legislate for the Church in matters affecting Spiritual things, without the Church having any voice in such legislation.

III. Because obedience to a Court thus created subordinates the Spiritual and Divinely-given powers of the Clergy to the powers of this world, degrades the Church to a mere department of the State, and ignores the Divine basis and supernatural character of Christianity.

IV. Because the recognition of the Court in Spiritual matters is opposed to the spirit of the Canons of the first four General Councils, which forbid an appeal, in Spiritual matters, to the Secular Courts of Justice.

V. Because the recognition of the Court is inconsistent with the claims of the Church of England to be-(i) a part of the Church Catholic; (ii) reformed on the principles of the Primitive Church.

VI.-Because, while Holy Scripture directs that " Spiritual things must be spiritually discerned," the Court in question (i) recognizes no Spiritual helps for the decision of the most solemn questions; (ii) avowedly rejects all Christian custom and tradition, as well as the testimony and authority of the Church Catholic; (iii) avowedly interprets the most sacred portions of the Book of Common Prayer, and decides the most solemn questions of doctrine and worship, on principles of mere human jurisprudence.

VII. Because the Court is principally, and sometimes exclusively, composed of laymen, who need not of necessity be Churchmen, or even Christians, and who attempt to bind, by the particular view they take of the matters before them, the teaching and action, not only of the whole Episcopate and Clergy of England, but even of the Synods of the

Church.

VIII.--Because the Church having no guarantee of the religious or moral character of the Judges, or of their personal fitness to be Judges, and the Court being irresponsible, final, and a purely human institution, obedience to the Court involves the Church in responsibility for any errors or heresies which either have been, or hereafter may be, propounded by a few fallible laymen.

IX.-Because obedience to the Court practically subordinates the Priest to the People in all matters related to the Deposit of Faith, and renders

[OTICE. THE PILOT may be had, on

NOTIC, Ety of MesTS. SMITH & SONS

Bookstalls.

LONDON AGENTS.

Mr. E. W. ALLEN, 11, Ave Maria-lane, Ludgate-hill. Messrs. CURTICE & CO., Catherine-street, Strand. Messrs. DAWSON & SONS, 121, Cannon-street, E.C. Mr. W. HOPKINS, 397, New North-road, Islington. Messrs. KENT & CO., Paternoster-row.

Messrs. KINGSBURY & CO., 7, Racquet-court, Fleetstreet, E.C.

Mr. KNOTT, 26, Brooke-street, Holborn.

Messrs. MOWBRAY, & CO., 25, Warwick-lane, Pater

noster-row.

Messrs. POTTLE & SON, Royal Exchange, E.C.
Mr. PILCHER, 144, Gray's-Inn-road.

Mr. PRITCHARD, 82, York-road, Lambeth.

Mr. SIMPSON, 7, Red Lion-court, Fleet-street, E.C. Mr. B. A. VAN HOMRIGH, 221, Ebury-street, Pimlico. Mrs. WINTER, 19, Shepperton-road, Islington.

COUNTRY AGENTS.

Messrs. MOWBRAY & CO., Oxford.
Messrs. SLATER & ROSE, High-street, Oxford.
Messrs. ANDREWS & CO., Booksellers, Durham.
Mr. JOHN SAMPSON, 13, Coney-street, York,
Mesers. HARRISON & SONS, Publishers, Leeds.
Messrs. WHITE & CO., 70, West-street, Brighton.
Mr. J. WILSON, Castle-street, Aberdeen.
And may be obtained of all Booksellers and Newsagents.

LADY HOUSEKEEPER, OR COM

nugatory the powers of teaching committed by our Divine Lord to the Christian Ministry.

X.-Because one of its recent judgments banishes from the Church of England some of the "laudable practices of the whole Catholic Church of Christ," in favour of which a general reservation is specially made in the Preface of the Book of Common Prayer.

XI. Because every Bishop or Priest who yields obedience to any judgment of the Court does what in him lies to fasten upon the Church of England the responsibility for the heretical and anti-Christian propositions already put forth by the Court in various previous judgments, which have practically denied the following undoubted Truths of the Gospel:-The certainty of Baptismal Regeneration, of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, of the Inspiration of the whole Word of God, and of the Eternal Punishment of the Wicked.

XII. Because the aforesaid denial of the Inspiration of the whole Word of God sanctioned by the Court, virtually destroys the certainty of all Divine Revelation, affording, as it does, a "short and easy method" to every individual, whereby, by the exercise of his mere private judgment, he may elminate any particular truth he dislikes from the doctrines of the Gospel. XIII.—Because some of the judgments of the Court are in conflict with each other.

XIV.-Because the principle adopted by the Court, that every usage which is not mentioned in the Rubric is prohibited, is oppressive, leads to absurd consequencies, and is inconsistent with the Preface to the Book of Common Prayer, and renders impossible the due performance of Divine Service.

XV. Because the Court has, in some instances, based its decision upon mistaken assertions concerning well-known facts, and has interpreted the documents of the Church in a manner which is non-natural, ridiculous, and irreconcilable with the plain meaning of English language. A. D. WAGNER,

Chancellor of Chichester Cathedral.

FROM HOOK'S LIVES OF THE ARCHBISHOPS, VOL. 9. p. 389.-"That Laud was despotic no one will deny, but he exerted his powers not to exceed, but to enforce the law upon those who had sworn to its observance. We can imagine a primate equally a despot in disposition, who, in waging war with a party against whom he had formed a prejudice, instead of being contented with the law as it stands, seeking by a new Act of Parliament to increase his own temporal power, and thus to betray the independence of the Church. We can imagine a primate-who; born and bred a Presbyterian, has been led by circumstances to conform to the Church, to be oblivious of his solem n ordination vow, with all faithful diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrine. We can suppose him to co-operate with the propagation of these same erroneous and strange doctrines, which every bishop is pledged both privately and openly to oppose."-DEAN HOOK's Life of Laud.

[blocks in formation]

PANION to an INVALID LADY. A Clergy- SUPERIOR EDITION, Price 1s. mau's Widow seeks an appointment as above, having had some years' experience in that capacity. Unexceptionable reference given and required. Apply by letter to "A. B.," care of Mr. BATTY, Pilot Office, 143, Strand.

[blocks in formation]

LAMBETH

HOUSE.

FASHIONABLE DRESSES

Made in the best possible manner, and, by a simple mode of self-measurement, a perfect fit is

obtained.

We are daily sending to all parts of the Kingdom COSTUMES made from MERINOS, REPS,
SATIN CLOTHS, BALERNOS, CASHMERES, and the RICHEST SILKS.
A perfect-fitting Costume is produced from 28s. 9d.

BLACK SILKS, warranted to wear, 24 inches wide, 3s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. the yard.
COLOURED SILKS, 23 inches wide, 4s. 6d. the yard.
MERINOS, all Colours, 43 inches wide, 2s. the yard.
Black and Striped VELVETEENS, 2s. and 2s. 6d. the yard.
Japanese SILKS, excellent quality, under 1s. the yard.

THE

MOURNING

DEPARTMENT

Contains every Article requisite for Superior Mourning.

On receipt of letter or telegram, patterns will be sent free.

HARVEY AND CO., WESTMINSTER BRIDGE.

BEMROSE AND SONS' DR.
SONS' DR. OGILVIE'S
OGILVIE'S DICTIONARIES. DR. FARRAR'S LIFE OF CHRIST.

LIST.

Ecclesiastical and Academical

Colours. PART I.-An Explanation of the various Colours used in the Services of the Church, with Tables of Colours.

PART II.-A List of Hoods worn by Graduates of British and Colonial Universities, and Members of Theological Colleges; with a Short Account of those Universities and Colleges which confer Degrees and grant Hoods. Compiled by the Rev. T. W. WOOD, Chaplain of the Rhydd Court Domestic Chapel, Diocese Worcester. Fcap. 8vo., cloth, 1s. 6d.

The Churches of Derbyshire. By J. CHARLES COX. Illustrated with Heliotypes. Royal 8vo., toned paper, cloth lettered, price 15s.

Mission Life among the Zulu Kafirs. A Memoir of Henrietta, wife of the Rev. R. Robertson, S.P.G. Missionary; compiled from Letters and Journals written to the late Bishop Mackenzie and his Sisters. Edited by ANNE MACKENZIE. New Edition, Revised. Crown 8vo., cloth, price 3s. 6d.

The Prayer Book, with Scripture Proofs and Historical Notes. By A. THEODORE WIRGMAN, M.A., Vice-Principal of St. Andrew's College, Grahamstown; late Curate of St. Michael's, Handsworth; and formerly Scholar of St. Mary Magdalen College, Cambridge. Second Edition. Fcap. Svo., cloth, price 3s.

The Book of Common Prayer arranged as Said. With the New Table of Lessons.

This new and Valuable Version of the Book of Common Prayer has received the highest encomiums from all Clerical Journals, and from many eminent Clergymen. It is simple in use, elegant in appearance, handy in size, and cheaper than the corresponding editions of the ordinary book, which it already begins to supersede.

A List, with specimens of type, descriptive particulars of each edition, and a summary of press notices, will be sent on application. A Book of Meditations:

Being a Manual of Devotional Thoughts, intended as Helps to the Spiritual Life of ordinary Christians. By the Rev. EDWARD COLLETT. 18mo., cloth, price 2s.; cheap edition, sewed 1s.

The Duke and the Doctors; Or, the Truth about Tithes. By H. H. A. S. Price 3d.

In 2 large vols. imperial Svo. cloth, £4; or half bound morocco, £4 15s.

THE IMPERIAL DICTIONARY: ENGLISH, TECHNOLOGICAL, AND SCIENTIFIC. On the basis of Webster's English Dictionary. With the Addition of many Thousand Words and Phrases, including the most generally-used Technical and Scientifle Terms, with their Etymology and their Pronunciation. Also a SUPPLEMENT, Containing an extensive Collection of Words, Terms, and Phrases not included in previous English Dictionaries. Illustrated by upwards of 2,500 Engravings on Wood.

"We must in honesty say that Dr. Ogilvie has not only produced the best English Dictionary that exists, but, so far as the actual state of knowledge permitted, has made some approach towards perfection."British Quarterly Review.

Large 8vo., cloth, 25s.; or half bound morocco, 32s. THE

COMPREHENSIVE ENGLISH

DICTIONARY:

EXPLANATORY, PRONOUNCING, AND ETYMOLOGICAL. Based on Webster, The Imperial Dictionary," and other authorities. The Pronunciation adapted to the best Modern Usage by RICHARD CULL, F.S.A. Illustrated by above 800 Engravings on Wood.

"Next to the more costly Imperial,' the very best dictionary that has yet been compiled."—London Review.

Imperial 16mo, cloth, red edges, 7s. 6d.; or half bound calf, 10s. 6d.

THE STUDENT'S ENGLISH DICTIONARY:

ETYMOLOGICAL, PRONOUNCING, AND EXPLANATORY. In which the words are traced to their ultimate Sources, the Root or Primary Meaning inserted, and the other Meanings given fully, according to the best Usage. For the Use of Colleges and Advanced Schools. About 300 Engravings on Wood.

"This is the best etymological dictionary we have yet seen at all within modern compass."-Spectator.

Imperial 16mo., cloth, red edges, 3s. 6d. DR. OGILVIE'S SMALLER

DICTIONARY:

An English Dictionary, Etymological, Pronouncing, and Explanatory. For the Use of Schools aud Families. Abridged from the "Student's English Dictionary," by the Author.

"The etymological part of the work is well done, indicating a familiarity with the languages from which our vocabulary is derived, and at the same time a sound discretion in tracing the origin of words. The pronunciation is clearly and correctly

indicated, and the explanations, though necessarily London: BLACKIE and SON, Paternoster-Buildings.

brief, are clear and precise."—Athenæum.

Medium 8vo., cloth extra, gilt edges, 12s. 6d.

THE UNIVERSE; or, The Infinitely Great and the Infinitely Little.

By F. A. POUCHET, M.D. Illustrated by 272 Engravings on Wood and a Frontispiece in Colours. New and Cheaper Edition.

"We can honestly commend this work, which is as admirably as it is copiously illustrated."-Times. "It would be difficult to hit upon a more attractive volume."-Pall Mall Gazette.

"A good pioneer to more exact studies. We have no doubt it will find what it deserves-popularity among English readers."-Saturday Review.

"We know of no more attractive book for a beginner, or one more likely to excite to further study of natural science. It is as instructive as a school book, and as interesting as Robinson Crusoe.'"-Land and Water.

Church-Door Calendars. Space
for each day in the week for Notices of Ser-
vices, Lectures, &c. Specimen on application. London: BLACKIE and SON, Paternoster-Buildings.
Size, 16 by 10 inches. The set of fifty-two,
2s. 6d.

Oxford Frames for ditto (without glass), price 2s. 6d.

Service Tables (Choir Notices) Printed in Red and Black, to be filled in with the Chants, Hymn-Tunes, &c., for Reading-desk, Choir, Organ, &c. Specimens on application. Eight varieties. 1s. 6d. per hundred.

Oxford Frames for ditto (without glass), price 1s. 6d.

London: BEMROSE and SONS, 10, Paternoster Buildings; and Derby.

Medium 8vo., cloth, 183. DESCHANEL'S NATURAL

PHILOSOPHY:

An Elementary Treatise. Translated and Edited, with extensive Additions, by J. D. EVERETT, D.C.L., F.R.S., Professor of Natural Philosophy in Queen's College, Belfast. Illustrated by 760 Wood Engravings and 3 Coloured Plates, and accompanied by a Series of Problems.

Also, separately, in Four Parts, limp cloth, 4s. 6d. each. PART I. MECHANICS HYDROSTATICS, AND PNEUMATICS.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

In 2 Vols., cloth, 24s.; calf, antique, £2 2s.

The Life of Christ.

BY THE

REV. F. W. FARRAR, D.D., F.R.S., Master of Marlborough College and Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen.

THE TIMES says:

The great value of the book consists in the connected view it presents of the tragedy of the Gospels, and the facility it affords to all classes, learned or unlearned, of acquainting themselves readily with the main features of any scene to which they may turn, each occurrence being presented with completeness and with grace of narration, and it will acquaint them with fresh sources of information and new aspects of familiar events."

THE GUARDIAN says:

"We have in every page the result of an intimate acquaintance with the literature bearing upon his great subject, while the quotations and references in the notes more especially intended for the learned reader, substantiate the author's claim that without intending to be exhaustive or specially erudite,' his pages contain much that men of the highest learning have thought and ascertained.''

THE JOHN BULL says:

"It is one, and by no means the least, of the many merits of Dr. Farrar's unrivalled work, that it looks honestly in the face, and gives a satisfactory solution to every real difficulty in the Gospel narrative which has been made the vantage-ground of sceptical criticism. The evidence adduced by Dr. Farrar (Vol. i., pages 141, 142) in favour of the authenticity of the Gospel of St. John, may be noted as a sample of his successful defence of a critical position, attacked so often, and with so much consummate ability."

THE QUARTERLY REVIEW says:"It is impossible, in the space at our disposal, to do justice to waat we feel the most valuable element of Dr. Farrar's work, the art, namely, with which he places us in the presence of the Great Teacher, and enables us not merely to follow the trains of his thought, but often to detect their subtle source, or trace them in their secret working upon the minds of friendly or hostile listeners."

CASSELL, PETTER and GALPIN,
Ludgate-bill, London.

NOW READY, PART I., price

HALF-A-CROWN.

PICTURESQUE EUROPE.

A DELINEATION BY PEN & PENCIL OF The Mountains, Rivers, Lakes, Shores, Forests, and other Natural Features, and the Cathedrals, Castles, Palaces, Ruins, and other Picturesque and Historical Places of Great Britain and the Continent. Illustrated with 60 exquisitely-engraved STEEL PLATES and SEVERAL HUNDRED superior ENGRAVINGS on WOOD, from ORIGINAL DRAWINGS specially made for this Work by some of the most eminent Artists of the day.

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS says:"We should anticipate that the whole work likely to prove one of the finest series of topographical illustrations ever yet produced. It begins right royally with Windsor Castle, of which Mr. Birket Foster has drawn a magnificent view, engraved on steel by Mr. Willmore."

THE ARCHITECT says:"The views are true and vigorous; the paper and printing are perfect; and the work will be a permanent treasure to its purchasers."

THE QUEEN says:"The first Part is headed by a charming steel plate, a view of Windsor Castle, drawn by Birket Foster. The remaining pictures of the Number are capital specimens of wood engraving. The letterpress is excellently printed on stout paper, and the text is written by a judicious and practised hand."

CASSELL, PETTER and GALPIN, Ludgate-hill, London.

FOR HOLY WEEK.

He Hath Borne our Griefs
AND CARRIED OUR SORROWS. Fortieth
Thousand. ld.

"Deserves a wide circulation."-Church Times.

FOR GOOD FRIDAY.

Is it Nothing to You, All Ye

THAT PASS BY? Eightieth Thousand. 1d. "The Bishop of Hereford has carefully read the tract, Is it Nothing to You?' and heartily wishes it an extensive circulation. He thinks it well calculated to arrest attention."

"Bishop Hobhouse is much pleased with the Good Friday tract, Is it Nothing to You?' He thinks it well qualified for parochial distribution, and is glad to promote its circulation."

"I am much obliged to you for sending me the tract on Good Friday. I have read it with great interest, and think it most excellent."-Bishop of Winchester.

[blocks in formation]

Now ready. Second Edition, Small quarto. Beautifully printed at the Chiswick Press. Price 28. 6d.

THE ORDER for the VISITATION

THE
and COMMUNION of the SICK. Arranged as

Said. Intended chiefly for the Use of the Sick Person
and Those who Assist in the Chamber. Set forth with
Notes and Directions in the hope of Promoting greater
Reverence and Understanding in the Celebration of
this Sacred Office.

"A most admirable publication has just been issued 'The Order for the Communion of the Sick, with Notes and Directions.' As a practical help to Clergy who desire to celebrate and minister the Holy Mysteries with reverence and care, we know of no volume likely to serve their purpose better. All the directions are full and lucid, while the author's own valuable dissertations are evidently the work of one who writes from experience, and who writes con amore."-Union Review.

London: THOMAS PRATT and SONS, Tavistockstreet.

Demy 8vo., cloth extra, with Photographic Portrait and Illustrations, price 12s.,

EMORIALS of the Late Rev. Robert

By the Rev. F. G. LEE, D.C.L.

"Dr. Lee's Memorials' is a far better record of Mr. Hawker [than the volume by Mr. Raring-Gould], and gives a more reverent and more true idea of the man."-Athenæum.

"A volume of engrossing interest, which depicts the subject of it with taste and sympathy."-Daily Post.

"Dr. Lee has, undoubtedly, shown that recent events, and in particular the passing of the Public Worship Regulation Act, had much troubled Mr. Hawker."-Saturday Review.

"A curious and interesting volume."-Weekly Register. "We are willing to credit Dr. Lee with an honest intention of championing the reputation of a deceased fellow-clergyman against what he holds to be unfounded aspersions."-Scotchman.

"I can hardly find words to express to you how much I like your Memorials.' The truthful and most charitable loving-kindness running through the whole book shows the true friend in need to one who rever ought to have been judged like another man."-Rev. R. S. Hawker's Sister to the Author.

CHATTO and WINDUS, Piccadilly, W.

[blocks in formation]

HENRY S. KING AND CO.'S NEW BOOKS.

LIFE OF THE REV. R. S. HAWKER.

THE VICAR OF MORWENSTOW: a Memoir of the late Rev. R. S.
HAWKER. By the Rev. S. BARING-GOULD, M.A. One Vol., post 8vo., with
Portrait, 10s. 6d.

"Mr. Baring-Gould's vivid and interesting biography."-Church Times.

"Mr. Baring-Gould's book is very amusing, and shows us the Vicar in all his kindliness and all his eccentri-
city."-Saturday Review.

WILLIAM GODWIN, HIS FRIENDS AND CONTEMPO-
RARIES. With Portraits and Facsimiles of the Handwriting of Godwin and his
Wife. By C. KEGAN PAUL. Two Vols., demy 8vo., cloth, 28s.

"Mr. Paul may securely count upon all the applause that attends first-rate literary work. He shines as the
accomplished literary craftsman-clear-headed and clear-sighted, diligent, accurate, and compendious.
Mr. Paul has accomplished a great task with exemplary thoroughness, and his name will be indissolubly con-
nected with that of the subject of his biography. His work rivals any romance in interest, and surpasses
every romance in variety. It is beautifully printed, and adorned with photographs from noble portraits of
Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft by Northcote and Opie, the property of Sir Percy Shelley."-Athenæum.
With Preface by Prof. Max Müller.

MYTHS AND SONGS OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC. By Rev
W. W. GILL. With a Preface by F. MAX MÜLLER, M.A., Professor of
Comparative Philology at Oxford. One Vol., post 8vo.

"One of the most remarkable publications of the current year."—The Hour.

THE EPIC OF HADES. By A NEW WRITER, Author of "Songs of
Two Worlds." Fcap. 8vo., 5s.

"Fresh, picturesque, and by no means deficient in intensity, but the author's most conspicuous merits are
the judgment and moderation with which his poem is designed, his self-possession within his prescribed limits,
and the unfailing element of his composition
written in an even style, and in blank verse which
bears comparison with the very best models. A thoroughly enjoyable little volume
fully suited to
maintain and crown the reputation acquired by those which preceded it."-Pall Mall Gazette.

ARVAN; or, the Story of the Sword. By H. TODD, M.A. Crown 8vo.,

7s. 6d.

"We found it had a well-sustained interest. He has given us a compact and artistic narrative, and has imagined the vicissitudes of empires, arts, and superstitions with a breadth of intelligence and a confident zeal eminently suited to a time when antiquarian research has obtained many marvellous triumphs."-Pall Mall Gazette.

"Mr. Todd's poem is simple, almost severe, and thoroughly pure in style, tone, and treatment. We have met him before in paths of poetry, but were hardly prepared for an effort so thorough and sustained."—Globe. ABOUT MY FATHER'S BUSINESS; Work amidst the Sick, the Sad, and the Sorrowing. By THOMAS ARCHER. Crown 8vo., 5s.

"Mr. Archer takes us by the hand, and introduces us to some of the low and suffering life in London; and then, to relieve the inevitable depressing effect, he leads us to contemplate some of the efforts that are being made on many hands to cope with and to relieve it."-Nonconformist.

HENRY S. KING AND CO., LONDON.

THE PUBLIC WORSHIP ACT AND THE WAY TO MEET IT.
Price One Shilling.

CHRISTIANITY OR ERASTIANISM?

A LETTER ADDRESSED, BY PERMISSION. TO HIS EMINENCE CARDINAL MANNING,
ARCHBISHOP OF WESTMINSTER.

By PRESBYTER ANGLICANUS.

By the same Author, Shortly will be Published, price One Shilling,

"DO THEY

WELL TO BE ANGRY?"

A SECOND LETTER ADDRESSED, BY PERMISSION, TO CARDINAL MANNING.
London: JOHN H. BATTY, 143, Strand, W.C.

EASTER, A.D. 1876.

THOMAS PRATT and SONS have now ready their usual large Stock of
CASSOCKS AND SUR PLICES.
CASSOCKS For Clergy, in Russell Cord, from 30s.; Serge, 38s., 458. and 50s.
CASSOCKS For Choirmen, 21s., 24s., 26s., and 28s.
CASSOCKS For Chorister Boys, 14s., 16s., 18s.

CINCTURES, GIRDLES, AND WAIST-BELTS.

SURPLICES For Clergy, in Linen, from 203. to 45s.; Lawn, from 36s. to 63s.
SURPLICES

SURPLICES

For Choirmen, from 10s. 6d. to 20s.

For Boys, from 5s. 6d. to 15s.

[blocks in formation]

This shape of Surplice was entirely the invention of Messrs. PRATT, and their use has now become universal. Although imitated and advertised by nearly all the clerical firms in England, none fit equal to those supplied by the Original Inventors.

In Black Leather Case, sent on receipt of Post Office Order for 21s., payable at Charing Cross. Extra length, 25s. Upwards of Five Thousand of these Surplices are now in use.

Colonial Shipping Agents. Catalogues, Estimates, and Designs sent by Post.

ALBS FOR ACOLYTES AND THURIFERS, ROCHETS, AND EVERY KIND OF LINEN VESTMENT FOR USE
IN THE CHURCH.

22 and 23, TAVISTOCK-STREET, COVENT-GARDEN; and
14, SOUTHAMPTON-STREET, STRAND, W.C.

Printed and Published by JOHN H. BATTY, 143, Strand, W.C.-March 29, 1876.

[REGISTERED FOR TRANSMISSION ABROAD.*

[ocr errors]

A Journal of Religion, Politics, Literature

No. 3.-VOL. I.]

and Art.

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 1876.

[PRICE THREEPENCE.

IS DISESTABLISHMENT LIKELY TO BE A CURE curbed. The bleating sheep will be verily shorn to the roots FOR PRESENT EVILS?

A

T the crisis now upon us, when our old and natural

leaders remain dumb in the still solitude of their incomprehensible retirement; when, like dormice in winter, they give no sign of life, utter no warning and order no trumpet-call, the perplexity of the staggering rank and file cannot be otherwise than considerable. For a long time the Catholic party in the National Church has been led by astute people who notoriously and avowedly own no principle, and make a boast of their poverty in this particular; but who appear to have feebly excogitated the notion that a series of tricks and surprises, a peddling policy of alternate mad daring and contemptible obsequiousness, may somehow or other secure to them an eventual victory. They have been foolishly rash where they ought to have been wisely reticent, 30 that by their contradictions and inconsistencies they have often put themselves in the wrong and their malignant enemies in the right, by deliberately refusing either to own or to exercise any principle whatever. So much so that the party of Liberal Ritualists is becoming utterly demoralized often abjectly silly in its drivelling inanity-under the weak and fatal leadership of the irresponsible persons who, with such periodical blasts of their own trumpets, have impudently assumed its command. No school or party can obtain public confidence, putting aside common respect, unless their actual practice harmonizes with their lofty professions. The obvious weakness of those who have pleaded before secular Courts and so acknowledged their competence; and then. when judgment has been given against them, have utterly repudiated the Court, its jurisdiction and its decisions, is melancholy to contemplate. Such a policy as this is ineffably childish, and only worthy of the boasting scribes of the cheap Men of the world of every kind see through it at a glance; and, by consequence, the whole Catholic school becomes covered with well-directed opprobrium. We, laity, feel all this keenly, and it is because our self-constituted leaders, driven from post, shamble off to pillar, and driven from pillar run to earth, that we venture to keep before men's eyes the pressing and increasing dangers

Ritualistic Press.

which abound.

The latest phase of Ritualistic aberration is to maintain that all our evils arise from the existence of an established Church;" and the latest remedy of these excitable and inconsistent people, which, no doubt, will serve their purpose for the next week or ten days. until they have excogitated another-is that "all our manifold and complex evils will be cured by disestablishment." Now, the principle of an Established Church is a thoroughly sound, judicious, and commendable principle-a Christian principle as old as the days of Constantine, which should never be rejected, though . circumstances might be against its continuous adoption and application. In England, when, under Liberal guidance, disestablishment is applied-as, no doubt, it soon will be, because of Archbishop Tait's and Mr. Disraeli's recent unworkable Church policy,-the National Communion will be speedily split up into, at least, three independent and antagonistic sections. The expediency of maintaining them in one body-a kind of Scotland-Yard idea-now overrides all abstract principle of Truth and Error. They are now made to cohere whether they will or no. But, when the crisis of Disestablishment and Disendowment suddenly arrives. the separation will be swift, sharp, and secure between the now-conflicting schools. Moreover, instead of being sent forth with endowments, the National Church will be stripped bare and spoiled; so that her influence may be as much weakened as possible, and her political power efficiently

a

of their wool. Theirs will be both a "holy" and a complete "poverty." Moreover, no amount of Christian patience, mutual forbearance, or diplomatic compromise, can possibly hinder a grievous disruption. In reorganization, ambitious laymen, of whatever party, will be sure to demand a voice in the actual government of the new bodies, and easily enough secure it. These will hold the purse-strings, and, by consequence, own the power. Our clergy, of a lower grade than now,-low as it is already-will become the obsequious and very humble servants of their flocks, being led rather than leading-backed up by no centre of Authority, and dependent only on the fluctuating Public Opinion of a newlyorganized religious community-embodied in an episcopate of colourless "views," ever-flabby principles and tortuous policy. In such a plight, does any reasonable being, (who has taken the trouble to think the question out for himself in detail,) believe for one moment that Disestablishment would be " certain cure for our present evils?" Is it not evident that, with the same Bishops, or more possibly with men of a still lower type, with all our present evils and difficulties made sharper and multiplied, we should only find ourselves standing on a declining platform-the sure descent from which would be at once dangerous and dark? Even in dogmatic questions, as well as in those of morals, Church law and government, there are only two broad principles which, in the long run can be adopted and applied. One is what a Radical parson calls "the grand and sublime principle of recognizing the majority:" the other is the old and tried principle of Divine Authority. The former is the curse of nations, churches and communities, causing divisions, contradictions and chaos: the latter is the only principle in harmony with Almighty God's revelation or with man's requirements. When an incongruous mixture of the two has been artfully attempted as in the Scottish Episcopal Communion, feebleness and paralysis have been too often found to supervene. The so-called "freedom" reputed to exist is really and truly Egyptian bondage. Again, when Divine things have been dragged down for the common herd to wrangle over, as in the case of the new Irish Church "recently constituted a body-corporate by an Act of the Imperial Parliament," heresy, vulgarity and novelty combined, become the first-fruits of what has been termed "the blessed and longed-for work of disestablishment." follows, therefore, in our humble judgment, that the few and the farsighted see clearly what is needed: not the breaking up of that which is inherently and intrinsically excellent in its principle-the Established Church of England-with the groundless hope of constructing something better out of the fragments; but its Corporate Re-union with all other true parts of the One Christian Family, both East and West, specially with that (the Latin Patriarchate) with which for more than nine centuries we were in visible communion; and by our separation from which the Christian principle has been steadily weakened in England, and is at present threatened with further weakening both at home and abroad, if not with annihilation, throughout the whole civilized world.

W

JUDEX JUDICATUS.

It

E return once more, and for the last time. to the examination of the defence which Lord Penzance made from the judgment-seat, of the constitution and jurisdiction of the Court over which he presides.

With the first two of the four propositions which Lord Penzance characterized as "absolutely incorrect," we have dealt at some length in our previous numbers, because in them the substance of the matter in dispute was really con

tained the remaining two are of lesser moment, and we shall compress our observations in regard to them into a very small space indeed.

[ocr errors]

We will even admit, as a matter of fairness, that as to the third point-the alleged suppression of the Diocesan Courts Lord Penzance says what is correct: they have not been suppressed, nor are they even referred to in the Statute. The opponents of the New Court cannot be too particular in this respect; for the advocates of the Lambeth Court are able to make some show of argument, as Lord Penzance does in his judgment, on this one point. But the question is, whether Lord Penzance correctly represents those whom he attempts to demolish, when he fastens upon them the proposition "that the Bishops' Courts, have been by Parliament suppressed." This may have been said by those who were speaking roughly and thinking more of the substantial results of the Public Worship Regulation Act than of its actual provisions. What has been said by those who have written carefully on the subject has been that the Diocesan Courts have been VIRTUALLY suppressed; and this fact is undeniable: if Lord Penzance was answering any printed argument against the jurisdiction of his Court, such as that contained in "Canon or Statute?" or in "Can Churchmen recognize the New Judge?" in both of which this word "virtually" occurs in connection with the Diocesan Courts, he ought not to have omitted the word in question, for by so doing he misrepresented his opponents' position.

The sum of the matter in regard to the Diocesan Courts is fairly enough stated by Lord Penzance in the following passage :

“What has been really done by the Statute is to confer on "the Provincial Courts," (i.e., be it remembered, the pseudo"Provincial Court over which the New Judge presides)" with " a more speedy and less costly procedure than heretofore, "the right to entertain questions of Ritual concurrently with, "but not to the exclusion of, the Diocesan Courts."

Quite true; but then who will resort to the Diocesan Courts if "a more speedy and less costly" mode of arriving at the same goal be provided as an alternative? The obvious result must be to supersede the Diocesan Courts altogether, and thus a pretext will be afforded for denouncing and abolishing them as useless. Nor is this all; if it be the right of a Presbyter to have his cause heard in the Court of his own Bishop first of all, then the erection of an alternative Court by the State is a wrong and a grievance: for it must be remembered that the Clergyman attacked has not the option of choosing in which Court he shall defend himself.

"That a

While admitting the general accuracy of Lord Penzance's remarks on this third head, the Diocesan Courts, we are constrained to protest most strongly against his mode of dealing with the fourth proposition which he pretends to demolish. This fourth proposition was as follows: lay tribunal has been set up in their (the Diocesan Courts) place, to sit in judgment not only upon Ritual, but on soundness of doctrine and the mysteries of religion." Lord Penzance, having officially denounced this proposition as "absolutely incorrect in point of fact," is content to prove his case, and to dismiss the subject by an affirmation—a mode of argument which a lawyer should be the last person to employ: "I am no further concerned with the remaining suggestion that a lay tribunal has been set up to deal with Doctrine as well as Ritual, than to affirm that in all matters of Doctrine this Court has now precisely the same jurisdiction, and no more, than it had before the Statute was passed; nothing has been added, and nothing been taken away."

But those who are likely to be the victims of the New Juggernaut are so far concerned in the matter as not to accept the affirmation of the New Judge as satisfactory and sufficient. This affirmation rests upon the assumed correctness of assertions which have been disproved and demolished in our previous numbers. We have shown that a great deal has been added, and much taken away, by the Public Worship Regulation Act; but apart from this, we would ask, Where is the "absolute incorrectness in fact of saying that Lord Penzance's Court is a "lay tribunal?" Is Lord Penzance not a layman? and is not "a lay tribunal" one over which a layman presides? And does not Lord Penzance claim jurisdiction in questions of Doctrine? An answer will, we trust, be given by Lord Penzance to these questions the next

[ocr errors]

time he has occasion to pronounce judgment upon one of his victims; the task of enforcing the edicts of the Judicial Committee upon individual Ritualists in succession will be sufficiently monotonous, and his Lordship cannot do better than follow the precedent which he set in Mr. Ridsdale's case, and enliven the proceedings by defending himself against the criticisms of those who deny his jurisdiction. Our readers may remember that, when the Public Worship Regulation Act was passing through the House of Commons, Mr. Russell Gurney, its patron, undertook to bring in a Bill in the next year which should place questions of Doctrine under the same authority as questions of Ritual. Neither those who advocated, nor those who resented this proposal saw at the time that this was already effected by the clause which enacted that the Judge appointed under the Act should succeed ex officio to the Judgeship of the two Provincial Courts on the occurrence of a vacancy in those offices. That Mr. Russell Gurney did not follow up his threat is no doubt due to the fact that the Revolution effected by the Public Worship Act was found to be more complete and thorough than even its most ardent well-wishers supposed. Lord Penzance, as a matter of fact, does not merely sit in judgment upon details of Ritual; in the event of any question of Doctrine arising, it is for Lord Penzance, not for the Episcopate, to inform Churchmen what is the teaching of the Church.

It is, of course, fair for one in Lord Penzance's position, to plead as he does, not without some reason, that this, or something like it, was the case before he was called into existence as an Ecclesiastical Judge. But this is no answer to the grievance of Churchmen; for two wrongs do not make a right; nor is it any excuse for the conduct of those at whose door lies the real responsibility for the Public Worship Regulation Act: we mean, of course, the Bishops. Every one knows that the constitution and working of the Ecclesiastical Courts were not perfect before the Act in question was passed. What Churchmen had a right to expect was, that if any alteration at all were made, it would be in the right, not in the wrong, direction; that the Episcopate would realize the importance of making the government of the Church of England more, rather than less, defensible; more, rather than less, conformable to the standard to which they themselves appeal-the Primitive Church. That they have not done so that they have been content to see the abuses and anomalies which had grown up in the Ecclesiastical Courts, intensified and stereotyped in the creation of the New Judge, is the really alarming part of the whole matter; for it discloses a want of regard for Canonical Discipline and Procedure, of which no really orthodox Churchman ought to be guilty. That one layman should decide all questions of Doctrine, Ritual, and Discipline which may arise between Berwick-on-Tweed and the Land's End is bad enough, but that the Episcopate should "love to have it so" is infinitely

worse.

it.'

[ocr errors]

We should fail in our duty did we not, before closing our remarks on this subject, call attention to the cynical Erastianism which occurs in the following passage of Lord Penzance in regard to the objections made against his Court: "If these things were true, they might afford ground for criticism upon the Statute, though they could not affect the duty of obeying The law must be obeyed, then, whether right or wrong. The Statute may be "open to criticism"-the things said against it may be true, and, in that case, the Statute is subversive of Christianity itself, but this cannot "affect the duty of obeying it." It is quite evident that Lord Penzance is, like the Jews of old, of opinion that "there is no King but Cæsar."

It is not without regret that we have felt compelled to direct attention so pointedly to Lord Penzance himself, and to make observations of the nature of personal censures directed against his lordship; but the invidious nature of the office which he has accepted, and the fact that bis own personal convictions and prepossessions will seriously affect the future of the Church and Clergy leaves us no option in the matter. It serves to mark the wide distinction which really exists between the office of an ecclesiastical and that of a secular judge; that, in the former the character, opinions, and antecedents of the individual have an important bearing upon his decisions; in the latter they hardly influence them at all. A

« PreviousContinue »