not on the latter ground certainly, because it was clear to me that if such opposition should be successful the matter should be fairly tried, and it was not for me to do anything in answer to such threats. It ought to go before the proper authorities, and they ought to decide it; and on the ground of charity I felt that I ought not to yield, because in all cases of this sort the first man who yields, yields on the grounds of charity, and then the next man who is in similar circumstances has to yield on what may be called charity, but it is really compulsion. After I had become Bishop, and when this matter was pressed very earnestly upon me, and pressed upon me by some who certainly shared with myself the conviction of the necessity of great liberty of opinion, I thought that at any rate I might do this without injustice to any one--I might yield to those who felt the matter so keenly, by, as far as I was concerned, withdrawing the Essay from the public. It was intended as a satisfaction to those who were unhappy about the book, to those who were not quite in a position to answer it or to deal with it, to many good people who perhaps might possibly be very unreasonably distressed, but still were distressed, and would be still more distressed if such a book was connected with the name of a Bishop of the Church. Further, I think it right to point out that that volume has done, if great mischief, also much good. It has done, no doubt, great good, as I said before, in the way of breaking through that reticence which was really doing so very much mischief in the Church; but to my certain knowledge it has done great good also to many individuals, to Christians who were kept back from infidelity by feeling that there was no necessity that they should choose between the dreadful alternative of being either infidels out and out, or accepting what their consciences could not accept. I know that it is sometimes said that it is better that they should be driven to that alternative, and that they should become downright infidels rather than not agree with what the speaker thinks to be a very important conviction of his own. It would seem to me to be monstrous to discourage such a man as Dr. Arnold, or to discourage such a man as the late Dean of St. Paul's, because in many cases the conclusions at which they arrived were very different from those which are ordinarily accepted. It is not whether a man comes to this conclusion or that conclusion, but it is with what temper, with what spirit, and with what feelings he enters on the discussion. If he is really and truly a servant of the Lord, seeking truth in reverence and humility, the freer he is allowed to be in seeking for the truth it seems to me the better for us all. I will conclude by saying this, that I am quite sure that no one has a more real reverence for God's Word, or a more entire desire to make it the guide of his life, than I have myself, that there is no one who feels more confident that the result of the freest investigation in a reverent spirit, will be to uphold the dignity and honour of that Word. I am much obliged to your Lordships for having listened to me so long, as I said before; and should have preferred very much to wait some time before saying anything at all upon this matter, but to have let my own opinions, and my past and future course be visible rather through my actions. But in the present instance a necessity seemed to me to be laid upon me, and I have spoken as a matter of duty.

The Bishop of LICHFIELD-AS mention has been made of my name I do not know whether I ought to reply. I will be guided entirely by precedent.

Several Bishops thought it would be better not to continue the discussion.

The Bishop of LONDON-You are the best judge of that. The Bishop of LICHFIELD-I will not do so; as I gather, it is the opinion of your Lordships that I had better not.

VESTMENTS.

The Bishop of LICHFIELD presented a petition on the subject of the late judgment by the Dean of Arches on the subject of Eucharistic Vestments, and said that at present there was a kind of conflict between the law and the Church, as declared by the Judgment and the Rubric at the end of the Calendar and the 58th Canon. The 58th Canon was one which, as far as he knew, the Clergy very generally were inclined to accept as the basis of agreement, that was, that every Minister saying the Public Prayers or administering the Sacrament or other rites of the Church, should wear a decent and comely surplice and the University hood.

The Bishop of LONDON pointed out that, as an appeal against that decision was pending, action was premature. The Bishop of ST. DAVID'S said he did not conceive that any judgment of Convocation was likely or possible to produce unanimity of opinion and action among the Clergy. If it should do so, it was contrary to all their experience in the past.

FOREIGN MISSIONS.

The Bishop of LONDON presented a petition under the seal of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, calling attention to the falling off in contributions for Mission purposes.

The Bishop of GLOUCESTER said there was very great doubt in many minds whether it was desirable to maintain their Missionary agency in its present form, and whether it would not be better to constitute some broad board of Missions that should receive the money sent by the faithful for the propagation of the Gospel, and that it should be dispensed, without the many technicalities now deemed necessary, to the Colonial Bishops, and left to them and the advisers they might call around them

to dispense within their different Dioceses. He hoped the subject would receive their warmest attention.

The Bishop of ST. DAVID'S said that one cause of the state of things complained of, was a want of faith in the advantages which had been reaped by the work of the Missions. Moreover, the Missons had been spoken of even within the Church in the most unsparing and even virulent terms, as a sham, a mockery, and a fraud. One matter to be deprecated in connection with the Missionary Societies was the unsatisfactory character of the deputations sent to the meetings in different parts of the country.

The Bishop of WINCHESTER said, there could be no doubt that the deep root of the difficulty lay in the want of an earnest love for the name and person of our Lord, and a more self-denying exertion for the spreading of His kingdom; and the only remedy was a general raising of the tone of religious feeling. But the question brought before Convocation was a lower, though a most important one, namely, the best method of arousing and regulating the Missionary zeal existing in the Church, and whether it was not desecrating the great cause to commit it to the action of societies. No doubt it was a grave matter to interfere with the action of societies, with all their imperfections; and much good might arise from a loving, happy emulation between them. He was himself a member of both societies, and heartily loved them both. Still he thought that some effort should be made to make the machinery work better. In his old Diocese the income of the Church Missionary Society had risen from 2,000l. to 3,0007.; and that of the Gospel Propagation Society from 1,2007. to 4,5007, and he believed that a similar increase had taken place in the Diocese of St. Asaph. He regretted the decision of the Propagation Society with regard to its new house; and he thought that to make a Missionary Society a battle field for Church controversies was nothing less than desecration. He thought that the Church ought to have a distinct voice and organ in the matter of Missions, like the Board of Missions in America. If such a body were formed to superintend the work it would tend to give confidence to the people, and bring down & blessing upon the Mission cause. He begged to move that a committee be appointed to consider the whole question of Christian Missions and to report thereon.

The Bishop of LICHFIELD seconded the motion of the Bishop of Winchester.

The motion for the appointment of a Committee was agreed to. A Committee was appointed to consider the report of the Royal Commission on the Lectionary of the Church.

A proposal from the Lower House to consider and report on any unauthorised alteration in the Prayer Book, and another proposal for a Service, like that for the burial of the dead, in the case of bodies not recovered (as in drowning and accidents) were rejected. Some further business having been transacted, the Convocation was prorogued to the 26th of April.

LOWER HOUSE.-FRIDAY.

Canon SELWYN gave notice of his intention to move

"That his Grace the President be requested to direct the appointment of a Committee of both Houses to consider what difficulties exist

in the Book of Common Prayer, and what alterations it may be desirable to make."

Rev. R. W. MILES asked if the House would at once agree to the appointment of the Committee on the Contagious Diseases Act.

The PROLOCUTOR said Mr. Miles's motion must come on in its natural

course.

The Archdeacon of ELY gave notice of motion

"That a Committee be formed to report upon the law of Church seats and the effects of the present practice of sitting and pew rents upon the attendance of large classes of the community."

The Archdeacon of BEDFORD presented a petition from twelve Clergymen, expressing their deep conviction that some revision was required of the laws which affect the Election, Confirmation, and Consecration of Bishops.

Chancellor MASSINGERD presented a petition recommending that officia. explanations should be given of the clause of the 19th Article referring to the Greek Church.

Dr. FRASER presented a gravamen on the Confirmation of Bishops, to the effect that in recent times the rights of the Clergy and Laity of the Province to appear and oppose the Confirming the Election had been abated and set at nought; that in one recent case the opposers had been refused a hearing, and the secular courts could not agree to grant a remedy, in another case the opposers were allowed a hearing, but were only permitted to oppose the Election, in which case the secular courts could give them no remedy, because it was a question of Ecclesiastical procedure; that the law and practice in the matter of the Confirmation of Bishops-Elect is identical now with what it was in the time of Henry VIII., not having been changed by any statute; and that this law and practice was, and ought still to be, in accordance with the Canon law of the Western Church, as it was used in the Church of England in the time of Henry VIII.

The PROLOCUTOR nominated the Committee to report on the Revision of the Authorised Version of the Scriptures:-The Prolocutor, the Dean of Canterbury, Dean of Westminster, Archdeacons of Bedford and Exeter, Chancellor Massingberd, Canons Blakesley, Selwyn, How Swainston, and Woodgate, Dr. Kay, Dr. Jebb, and Mr. De Winton.

Canon SELWYN moved::

"That his Grace the President be humbly requested to include the Convocations or Synods of the Provinces of Armagh and Dublin as well as the Convocation of York."

EDUCATION.

The Archdeacon of TAUNTON, in continuation of the debate on the appointment of a committee to inquire into the subject of primary education, said it was only consistent with the dignity of the House and the magnitude of the subject that whatever steps they took should be taken carefully and deliberately, especially as in a few days Her Majesty's Government will introduce a Bill into Parliament dealing with the same question. Out of courtesy to the Government the House should wait to see what the Bill is before going further into the question. The ordinary practice of Committees of the House is that the movers of the resolutions for their appointment shall be chairmen, and that they shall draw out the rough drafts of the reports. However, as Canon Hopkins had introduced the question he (Archdeacon Denison) was desirous that the rule should be slightly departed from this time, and that Canon Hopkins should draw out the draft of the report. He moved "That a Committee of this House be now appointed to inquire and report on the subject of Primary National Education."

After speeches by Canon Hopkins, and the Archdeacon of Salop, the PROLOCUTOR Went to the Upper House to lay before their Lordships the gravamina, &c., of the Lower House. On his return he said: I have to inform the House that their Lordships of the Upper House have thought it expedient to add the name of another member to their part of the joint committee-the name of the Bishop of Bath and Wells. This imposes upon me the duty of nominating two more members of this House, which I will do after the recess. Another matter I wish to communicate is that we shall not meet next week.

After a few words from Canon WOODGATE, deprecating undue alarm, The following were named as the Committee:-The Dean of Peterborough, the Archdeacons of St. David's, Colchester, Ely, Dorset, Salop, St. Asaph, Sudbury, and Taunton, Chancellor Massingberd, Canons Gregory, Hopkins, Lloyd, Kempe, the Revs. H. S. Fagan, R. S. Miles, &c. The following were appointed members of the Lectionary Committee. The Prolocutor, the Deans of St. Paul's, Westminster, and Lincoln, the Archdeacon of Bristol, Canons Gregory, Seymour, and Kempe. The question of the right of the Archdeacon of Nottingham to sign himself "H. Nottingham " was referred to the Committee of Privileges, as the Upper House had returned gravamina with that signature as informal. The Archdeacon of NOTTINGHAM said that he had acted on the best advice he could obtain, and had no desire to assume any style to which he was not entitled. Chancellor MASSINGBERD believed that his friend was justified in the manner in which he signed himself. Dr. FRASER Suggested that, as a Suffragan Bishop of Bedford took part in Parker's consecration, the Committee should ascertain the title used in

Archdeacon DENISON'S motion was carried.

the Commission.

The Dean of WESTMINSTER seconded the resolution.

Canon SELWYN said that barbarous as the Abyssinians might be, they had done sacred literature good service in preserving the "Prophecy of Enoch," after it had been lost every where else.

Canon GREGORY doubted the wisdom of sending out these invitations

of brotherly communion to Churches of which we knew so little. Canon SEYMOUR supported the motion.

The Archdeacon of EXETER having made a statement reaffirming the accuracy of his observations as to Bishop Temple, the House was adjourned to April 26.

Convocation of the Northern Province formally met on Wednesday, and was prorogued until the 22nd inst.

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The Church Herald.

LONDON, FEBRUARY 16, 1870.

The Week.

THE proceedings in Convocation have this week attracted an amount of interest without parallel. It is a cause for much rejoicing that the Bishops in the Upper House have decided to inquire fully into the laws affecting the election and consecration of Bishops, though we do not quite understand why, in supporting such a measure, they should have found such very unctuous outpourings of regard for Dr. Temple to be requisite. His speech on the occasion was quite in character with those he has recently made, and, but for the officiousness of some of his friends, who got the Dean and Archdeacon of Exeter to make a statement in the Lower House, which was supposed to free him from complicity with Essays and Reviews, there the matter would have rested, the House having, to its shame, rejected Archdeacon Denison's gravamen. No sooner, however, was the very ambiguous statement made than the impulsive character of the Archdeacon overcame him, and he withdrew all opposition, forgetting entirely that it is still an open question whether or not Dr. Temple has been validly consecrated, and therefore remains doubtful if he be a Bishop. Either the fact of the explanation being so readily accepted, meagre as it was, or the stinging comments in the Times and Pall Mall, acted powerfully on Dr. Temple, for on Friday he spoke at great length in defence, not merely of his own Essay, but of the whole volume, and of the object for which it was published. The tone of his speech must have thoroughly disgusted the faithful Prelates who heard him, and we trust that its perusal has convinced Dr. Pusey and Archdeacon Denison of the dreadful blunder they made in withdrawing from all opposition at the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, before hearing one word from Dr. Temple's own lips. It must also, we think, strike every one how completely the issue has been perverted. The opposition to Dr. Temple was raised because he had taken part with the writers in Essays and Reviews during so long a time, and because of the great irregularity, at the least, which attended his consecration. Now, without a shadow of apology for the past, or of attempt to clear away the perplexity which hangs over his consecration, (from the want of consent on the part of comprovincials) we are to have "The Bishop of Exeter" unanimously elected a Vice-President of the Society which propagates a Gospel widely different from the teaching of Essays and Reviews. Surely faithful leaders will come some oppose him, otherwise it will be worthy of serious consideration whether we are justified in supporting a Society presided over by one who companies in such manner with unbelievers. We are heartily glad to see Convocation claiming its right to review the Lectionary proposed by the Ritual Commissioners, and the statement that Government have consented to submit it to them is satisfactory. When we remarked a fortnight ago on the great need for revision by competent men, of our authorised translation of the Bible, we had small expectation that the matter would so speedily be taken in hand, but the tone in which the proposal was treated by Convocation gives reason to hope that it will be wisely and effectually dealt with there. We trust that the refusal of the Bible Society to co-operate, as given by its President, Lord Shaftesbury, may not be allowed to frustrate the action of Convocation. It is not very clearly stated to what body the Archdeacon of Nottingham has induced Convocation to make friendly overtures, and Dean Stanley's eagerness to sneer at the faith obscured the matter

forward and

Our friends who prate so freely about State tyranny will be rather disgusted to find the very emphatic manner in which the Prelates who consented to consecrate Dr. Temple, and the Dean of Exeter on behalf of those who elected him, repudiate the notion that State obligation influenced them in any degree. The Bishop of London at the time certainly spoke as though he were constrained by fear of penalty, but we are very glad indeed to find that he and the other Prelates and Priests acted solely of their own free will, much as we deplore the

result.

The proposal to remove the disabilities now standing in the way of our Clergy becoming members of Parliament seems to us a fair one, provided sufficient care be taken to render the Clerical M.P. disqualified from holding Church preferment. Those who believe in their high office as Priests are little likely to enter Parliament, but there probably must always be a certain number of men little fitted for their office who now spend their energies in a far less useful way than they might do if qualified to sit in the House of Commons. Several well known correspondents of the daily papers would be far less injurious as M.P.'s than in their present position of Parish Priests, where their time is divided between inculcating by precept and example among their parishioners and neighbours a low opinion of their office, and disbelief in the Divine authority which they hold, and the efforts they make to impart their own ignorance to those farther off, by letters in the Times. There is no news of any importance this week from Rome. Opinion seems divided whether the Dogma of Infallibility may be brought before the Council in a few days, or whether it may not be thought more prudent to prorogue the Council indefinitely without letting them have an opportunity of discussing it, as there is known to be so great diversity of opinion. If it be really the case that Baron Beust is preparing a reply from the Catholic powers to the Pope's recent fulmination, there can be no question that it will very greatly aid the Moderate party in the Council.

The measures suggested in the Queen's speech are rapidly being brought forward. Already the Irish Land Bill is introduced, so that probably if the Ministry holds together until after the Easter holidays, it may be by that time nearly ready to go to the House of Lords. Mr. Forster's Education Bill is also ready, and we trust our friends are quite prepared to fight manfully against the godless system it is intended to establish. There is also a resolution to be proposed on Friday by Mr. W. Williams in favour of disestablishing and disendowing the Church in Wales, the announcement of which is said to have elicited "Ministerial cheers." The case of the Welsh Church was often mentioned while the robbers were engaged in their sacrilegious work in Ireland; but they indignantly denied that they had any intention of carrying their malpractices into the Principality. Now, how ever, success has emboldened them. No doubt we shall speedily have an assault on the possessions of the Church in England. Already her teaching is attacked by Mr. Chambers's attempt to legalise incest by rendering marriage with a deceased wife's sister lawful. There are also Bills being introduced to give Dissenters a fresh hold over our Churchyards, by having a rate for keeping them in order, and to compel landowners to sell a site wherever its promoters desire to establish a "schism shop." To resist successfully these assaults will require vigorous and united action on the part

the need of combination for this purpose, if they do not at once organise so as to bring the matter before the country fully, the time will be past when resistance might be made with success. If only two or three of our leading statesmen, Lord J. Manners, Mr. Hardy and others, would come forward, with such men as the Bishops of Lincoln and Gloucester, a powerful machinery might be put in working order at once, but without leaders men cannot act constitutionally, and the isolated attempts they make are soon ended.

Arrangements are being made for a Volunteer Review on Monday in Easter week, as usual. We trust that those who remember the awful desecration of the Holy Week which it causes will foster with all their power the suggestion which was made last year to defer the review until the Monday in Whitsun week.

The Rev. Sir Frederick Ouseley, President, together with one-fourth of the members of the Herefordshire Branch of the English Church Union, have retired from any connection with that Society, owing to the Council having taken no proper action in the Temple case.

The statement made by us some time ago, and which was contradicted

by certain of our contemporaries, that Mr. Gladstone had purchased the

Aston Hall Estates in North Wales, is perfectly correct. Mr. Gladstone

is to pay 59,000l. for them, and the purchase is to be formally completed next month.

We are glad to see that sympathy with the Rev. Dr. Lee in his dangerous illness is not confined to his many friends in England. The Indian Church Review says:-"We have observed with regret that the last home papers mention the serious illness of this active and talented Priest. Our readers will join with us, we know, in heartily wishing him a speedy recovery." It will be gratifying to them to know that he is now very much better.

It is said that the perusal of Mr. Disraeli's "Sybil" was the cause which led to the gift of the site for St. Alban's, Holborn; the vivid pictures in it of the want of religious teaching among large masses of our poor coming home to the noble donor at the same time that he heard of Mr. Hubbard's generous purpose of building a Church for their

benefit.

The unsatisfactory way in which English Churchmen are contented to conduct their Missions has often been the subject of complaint, and with too great reason. The account given by the Indian Church Review of the last annual commemoration of the S.P.G. at Bombay, shows that much dissatisfaction exists there on this score. The meeting was apparently far from harmonious, the great bone of contention being the re-election of the retiring members of the Diocesan Committee or the It is difficult at this distance to enter into substitution of fresh names. the merits of the case in detail, but it is manifest that things are not going on as they should be. The abstract of the Missionaries' report for the year seems most meagre. The Indian Church Review says:-"It showed that four adults had been baptised, that several inquirers had come and gone, that the Services of the Church were frequently held, that schools with a good attendance were opened in different parts of the native town, and that open-air preaching also was resorted to. Mention was made of the labours of the Clergy in spiritual charge of the harbour, of the jails, of St. Peter's, Mazagon, and of Trinity Church, Gonapore," with very moderate results-less than moderate. The remarks also of the Chairman, General Tremenheere were significant. "The retrospect," said he, "given in the Annual Report grieved him. Only one of the Missionaries sent out from England for vernacular work was giving his undivided time to it. The Rev. T. Williams's connection with the Byculla Diocesan School was most undesirable and most improper. He had been sent out for the vernacular mission. It permanently ruined the usefulness of a Missionary fresh from England to give him English engagements. Such an arrangement sapped his interest in vernacular work. He therefore trusted that Mr. Williams would speedily be relieved from the Diocesan School and attend to his proper duties. The then complained of the unfair taxation of the parent society for local Bishop should be respectfully asked to relieve him without delay." He work, and of the insignificant amount contributed by the Christians at Bombay. We must assume that his strictures were well founded, but people will not contribute too liberally even if their hearts are in the work, if they see with their own eyes that funds are mismanaged and Missionaries diverted from their express and special duties to other kinds of work. There must be something very much amiss with the whole system as it exists at present.

are spoken of as agreeable to the Diocese. Should both of these decline the appointment, and Bishop Gray decline to fill up the vacancy, it has been determined to leave it in the hands of the S.P.G. to send out a Bishop.

The Dean and Chapter of Exeter Cathedral have just approved plans, prepared by Mr. Gilbert Scott, for the renovation of the edifice. The work will be commenced with the renovation of the choir and the seating of the choir aisles, the present division of the Cathedral by the massive antique screen into two virtually distinct Churches being adhered to. The Exeter Diocesan Archeological Society disapprove Mr. Scott's plans, and have sent a protest to the Dean and Chapter against their adoption. The death is announced of the Rev. John Henry Sparke, a member of a very old ecclesiastical family in the Diocese of Ely. He was a son of the Right Rev. Dr. Bowyer Edward Sparke, who was Bishop of Ely from 1812 to 1836. Two years after his Ordination he was nominated by his father to a Canonry Residentiary in Ely Cathedral, and shortly afterwards made Chancellor of the Diocese. These appointments, together with the valuable Living of Gunthorpe, become vacant by his death. According to the Tablet the Pope has, within the last few days, approved and enriched with indulgences a prayer for the Greek schismatics, wherein the following words occur:-"O Mary, Immaculate Virgin, we beseech thee to be pleased to intreat the Divine Spirit in favour of our erring brethren, that, enlightened by his quickening grace, they may return to the Catholic Church under the infallible authority of its chief Pastor, the Roman Pontiff."

At the last meeting of the Dublin Christian Knowledge Association, presided over by the Archbishop of Armagh, an enthusiast, by name Cotton, moved that no book be sold by the Association that had on its cover the monogram I.H.S., or any sort of cross; he sought to prove that "the cross was essentially a Pagan emblem, extensively used by the Heathen before the Christian Era, and in no respect a symbol of our faith." The motion was lost by fifteen against seven.

The Very Rev. Monsignore Patterson, speaking on Sunday on the Vatican Council, said he felt indignant at the false attacks written by special correspondents of the English Protestant press. The Fathers in Rome were astounded at the words and deeds attributed to them. Having been an eye-witness of the scenes so misdescribed, he was afraid if he knew those writers he should hardly be able to observe towards them such a bearing as strict charity required.

The following horrible anecdote comes from that model example of enlightened freedom-the poor, laity-ruled Church of Scotland. One Christmas Day, some years ago, in a garrison town, a private soldier received, with other members of the congregation, the Holy Eucharist. After Service a leading layman went to the Clergyman to remonstrate, and threatened to bring before the managing body (Vestry?) his disgraceful conduct in admitting a common soldier to communicate with gentlemen!

Mr. Gladstone, in acknowledging the memorial on the subject of the secular disabilities of persons in Holy Orders, says: "For my part, I am decidedly of opinion that the existing law cannot be defended; and the Government would, I think, be inclined to favour any well-digested measure for relief from the grievance of which complaint is made. I wish that we were in a condition to undertake the duty, but in the present state of the demands upon us, and in view of the labours of the coming Session, I am sorry that I could not, with any propriety, enter into any engagement with reference to this matter."

As many visitors who would, for various reasons, prefer Hastings, have hitherto been driven to St. Leonard's in search of Church privileges, the Rev. Dr. E. J. May asks us to announce that the new Church of St. Andrew's. Hastings, is now completed and open for Divine Service, with Daily Prayers both morning and evening, Celebrations of Holy Communion both early and mid-day on every Sunday and Holy Day, and Full Choral Services. There being no endowment of any kind, St. Andrew's is entirely dependent on the Offertory for the maintenance of the Services and for every expenditure.

At the last meeting of the Worcester Cathedral Restoration Committee Lord Dudley offered to give 10,000l. for the completion of the restoration of the choir of Worcester Cathedral, upon condition that the Cathedral should be used exclusively for the celebration of religious worship, and not for the memorial festivals of the three choirs. The answer is to be given in April. If the offer is declined, it is understood that a similar offer will be made to the Dean and Chapter of Hereford and Gloucester. The Dean and Chapter of Hereford have already granted the use of their Cathedral for the next festival, to be held in August, at Hereford.

The University of Cambridge has conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws upon the Most Reverend Alexander, Archbishop of Syra, Tenos, and Melos. On Thursday his Grace will be present in person to receive the highest academical distinction that the University has in its power to offer. The Archbishop will subsequently visit Oxford, to receive a similar distinction there. During the visit of the Archbishop to Cambridge he will be the guest of the Master of Trinity. On his way between the two Universities his Grace will pay a visit to the Marquis of

Salisbury, the Chancellor of the University of Oxford, at Hatfield House. As a special compliment, the Archbishop will be presented for his degree by the Public Orator in a Greek speech.

On Monday week, Henry Appleby, a member of St. Leonard's Church Choir, Colchester, who had died a few days before, was buried in the Colchester Cemetery. The members of the choir, to the number of about 20, in their surplices, met the hearse at the gates of the Cemetery, and preceded it to the Chapel, where one of the choristers placed chaplets of flowers on the coffin. The first part of the Burial Service was read by the Rev. S. Farman, jun., Curate of St. Paul's, the responses being sung by the choir. This part of the Service completed, the procession went to the grave, the choir chanting the Nunc Dimittis. The Service at the grave was read by the Rev. J. G. Bingley, Rector of St. Leonard's, hymns 117 and 142, Ancient and Modern, and “Jerusalem the Golden,” being sung by the choir.

It is not in Europe only that, remarks the Pall Mall Gazette, the Roman Council has excited controversies, but in Asia too. A Sunday or two since some tumultuous scenes took place at the Armenian Church at Pera, consequent on the reading of the Papal Bull appointing a new Vicar in lieu of the patriarch Hassoun, now sitting in the Council. The Armenians are not willing to submit themselves in Ecclesiastical matters to the Court of Rome, and refuse to recognise the Vicar. The disturbances were so serious that the Turkish authorities were appealed to, but the Porte answered that it did not wish to interfere with the internal affairs of any religious community, and merely advised them not to bring their quarrels into the outer world.

The Bishop of Bath and Wells is the Select Preacher at Cambridge this month. On Sunday he spoke of the universality of the influence which Christianity had exerted throughout the world :-"He was content thst it should rest upon the testimony of the Evangelists, for whom he claimed the same credence as was accorded to profane historians. There were some persons who considered the writings of Tacitus, Pliny, and Josephus, of incomparably greater value than those of the Evangelists. He did not claim for the Gospel narratives of facts which the writer saw and heard, that they were written by inspiration; but he did claim that the testimony of these historians should be accepted. The Evangelists probably obtained their information respecting the conception from the mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, who had been entrusted to the care of one of their number, John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. Considering the close and friendly intercourse which existed between Christ and His disciples, it was not impossible that he had previously explained to them the mystery of godliness. The Bishop deprecated the conduct of those who were advocating a purely secular education."

The correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette, writing from Rome on the 6th, says: "I am assured we are now on the brink of the discussion on the dogma of infallibility, which will be brought forward, according to present arrangements, within a week, if the debate on Clerical life is finished in to-morrow's sitting of the Council. One of the resident Roman Cardinals has prepared an eloquent oration against the dogma, but with the timidity characteristic of the Roman Clergy shrinks from delivering it himself, and has entrusted this task to a German Bishop. The German, Austrian, and Hungarian Bishops are in almost daily conference at the apartments of Cardinal Rauscher, and show themselves more and more opposed to the whole of the Jesuit schemes. Monsignor de Mérode has made an effort to dissuade the Pope from having the question of infallibility debated. With his usual brusque frankness he went into the weak points of the proposition, and adverted to the strength of the dissentients, concluding by reminding the Pope that the present Council was not to be compared in weight with the Council of Trent, which evaded the dogma. The Holy Father replied, If we reckon on it for submission. The speech has greatly irritated the meme cannot look to the Episcopacy for conspicuous ability, we can at least bers of the Opposition, and some angry comments have been made in the saloons of Cardinal Mertel, where they chiefly resort. One Bishop said, I have found more scandals in Rome than I believed possible.'"

The correspondent of the Pall Mall Gazette writes :-"Some days Council by a prorogation, if the work laid out for it were not completed ago I informed you of the Pope's intention to suspend the sittings of the by St. Peter's Day. No day is yet fixed for the third public congregation of the Council. Officials begin to whisper that it cannot be held before the 24th of March, but persons well informed in the mysteries of the Council name Easter Monday as the earliest day. The Deputation on Faith, though it holds frequent meetings, makes little progress in remodelling the decrees then to be promulgated. The work is virtually to be done by three members of the deputation-the Archbishop of Malines, the Bishop of Paderborn, and the Bishop of Poitiers, who form the commission ad hoc, and who have for their theological counsellors Monsignor Schwartz, Priest of the Imperial Chapel at Vienna, and the Jesuit Father Franzelin. The question is, can such hands reproduce the decrees in a shape acceptable to the opposition? The Jesuit party are very much disappointed at the course of the proceedings in the Council, and at the superiority of the opposition orators to their own; and they are constantly urging the Pope to interpose his authority to silence these troublers of the Church. The other day the Holy Father said in emphatic tones, The Council may prolong itself indefinitely, but it shall have no