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A new Church has been opened by licence (not consecrated) in the rising watering-place of Westward Ho, North Devon, Diocese of Exeter, the Bishop preaching on the occasion.

At an Early Celebration of the Holy Communion at Christ Church, Newgate-street, on the 20th ult., upwards of 150 Bluecoat boys received their First Communion from the hands of the Clerical masters.

and All Hallows is to be taken down, except the tower, which is to be maintained.

The organ given by the Rev. Thomas Baily Wright, the late Vicar of Wrangle, in 1827 to the Church, having been restored by his family and friends, was reopened on Sunday, the 27th of March. Mr. G. M. Holdich not only with great liberality has done the work, but he kindly played and led the choir on the occasion.

We regret to hear that the Archbishop of Canterbury's progress to convalescence rather disappoints the sanguine hopes of his friends, and that he is about to remove for change of air and scene to the Continent. Mr. Brewin Grant, a Congregational Minister for many years at Ceme-be tery-road Chapel, Sheffield, was on Sunday admitted into the Church at St. Luke's, Sheffield, in the presence of a crowded congregation.

An address has been presented by the students of St. David's College, Lampeter, to the Rev. Dr. Hughes, Bishop-Elect of St. Asaph, congratulating him on his appointment.

The R. C. Chapel at Chorley, Lancashire, was broken into on Thursday night and an iron chest, weighing 1 cwt., was stolen. The chest contained two silver chalices and other things used in the Service.

In the Spanish Cortes a vote of censure has been passed, by 78 votes against 75, on the Minister of Public Instruction, for intending to suppress religious instruction in schools.

The south aisle of St. Nicholas' Church, Great Yarmouth, is to be reopened on April 28th. The Bishops of Rochester and Colombo will preach on the occasion.

Mr. Gilbert Scott is preparing plans for the restoration of Exeter Cathedral. Mr. Scott is opposed to the removal of the old screen which was built five hundred years ago by Bishop Grandisson.

At St. Paul's, Wilton-place, throughout Holy Week, the Services will be almost continuous from morning till night. On Good Friday, from twelve till three o'clock, the Three Hours will be preached by Father

Grafton.

The Hon. and Rev. Adelbert Anson, M.A., is the new Vicar of Dudley. He is a younger brother of the Earl of Lichfield and Major Anson, M.P., and is (the Birmingham Post understands) about to be married to a daughter of the Bishop of Rochester.

The Dean of St. Paul's preached on Friday at the Chapel of King's College, Strand, on the alleged antagonism between science and Scripture. He held that religion had nothing to fear and everything to gain from the progress of science.

The Bishop of Lincoln held his last Ordination in the Parish Church of Sleaford, and on arriving at the altar his Lordship found the elements for the Holy Communion placed on the Holy Table. He called the Assistant Curate to him and ordered them to be removed.

The Bishop of Exeter has engaged to preach at the reopening of St. Nicholas and St. Faith Church, Saltash, on the 25th of April; and at the reopening of St. Encder Church, on the 3rd of May. Both Churches have undergone partial restoration.

A deputation of residents from the locality of South Kensington having waited upon the Bishop of London to urge the advisability of thoroughly Protestantising the Established Church were received, the Kensington News says, "with something like impatience by his Lordship." So far from the Bishop-designate of Chichester being a supporter of Mr. Gladstone's Irish Church policy, it is said that he spoke against the disestablishment of the Irish Church at several public meetings, and voted against Mr. Gladstone at the last general election.

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Canon Liddon writes that should any change be made in the Athanasian Creed he should feel it his duty to reconsider his position as a Clergyman of the Church of England. I should feel, Non hæc in fœdera veni: this is not the Church into which I was ordained." The Rev. Chancellor Harington has intimated his desire to give a second sum of 500l. towards the restoration of Exeter Cathedral, in memory of his sister, and also to erect a stained glass window in the east end of the Lady Chapel.

The new arrangement for free admissions to Westminster Abbey succeeds well. The first day between 1,100 and 1,200 persons availed themselves of the privilege. There was perfect order. Many had never seen the Abbey before.

Our readers will be pleased to hear that the Rev. N. Woodard, who, as the Times says, has been principally concerned in founding the remarkable middle class schools on a large scale, in connection with the Church of England, has been appointed Canon of Manchester.

Colonel Elphinstone, the promoter of the suit against the Rev. Mr. Purchas, is dead. Some of the papers state that the case, which is on appeal to the Privy Council, will now drop; but as the deceased was only a tool in the hands of the Church Association, we believe this will not be the case.

The scheme of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for uniting the contiguous Benefices of All Hallows Staining, and St. Olave, Hart-street, in the City of London, is published. St. Olave is to be the Parish Church,

At the ensuing Hereford Festival an oratorio will be performed on the first evening in the Cathedral, which is now lighted with gas. This will the first evening performance in a Cathedral during the 150 years that the Festivals of the Three Choirs have been held at Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester.

London Docks,) will preach in the open air in fourteen different parts of his parish on the "Way of the Cross." Hymns and Litanies will also be sung in procession. Immense good resulted from the open air preaching last Good Friday.

On Good Friday afternoon the Rev. C. F. Lowder, (of St. Peter's,

"A Berkshire Rector," writing in the Church Review, remarks" that Catholic Clergy are not like Protestant doctors. The latter are always willing to help each other in sickness or trouble; the former would often allow the Mass to be given up in a neighbouring parish rather than spare one of, perhaps, the assistant-Curates from a function."

The Rev. John Venn, Vicar of St. Peter's, with St. Owen's Rectory. Hereford, has resigned his Living, after holding it for 37 years. It is in the gift of Simeon's Trustees, and is valued at £413. Mr. Venn is a Prebend of Hereford, and has been a leading member of the "Evangelical" party.

At a vestry meeting in All Saints' parish, Cambridge, it was resolved to accede to the wish of the representatives of Kirke White's family, and place in St. John's Chapel the Chantrey tablet which was given by the late Dr. Booth to All Saints' parish, in which the poet was buried, the Church in which it was first erected having been taken down some years ago, since which time the tablet has been in private hands.

The Bishop of Lincoln has addressed a letter to the Clergy and Churchwardens of Stamford urging upon them the duty of introducing into their Churches the Weekly Offertory. As the letter is the same in substance as in his Diocese, and which we printed at the time, it is unnecessary to his Lordship sent some weeks ago to the Churchwardens of another parish reprint it now.

The Church Times notes as a curious coincidence that there are three well-known persons simultaneously bearing the name and style of “Dr. Vaughan "- one an Anglican, one a Roman Catholic, and one a Dissenter; but "what makes the coinc dence more striking is that all three are inveterate scribblers on theological matters, and that not one of them has even a rudimentary acquaintance with the science of divinity."

Some remarkable stories are (says the Oswestry Advertiser) afloat respecting a recent Episcopal appointment. Each of the Reverend gentlemen whose names were canvassed in connection with the event has received, by post from the city, a lawn pocket handkerchief, with a deep mourning border, and, in each corner, a Bishop's mitre reversed, with the motto "Paradise Lost" encircling it.

The Rev. W. H. Pullen, Minor Canon of Salisbury, has apologized to the Dean for his recent conduct in reading a protest in the Chapterhouse; and admits in a letter to the Dean, with regret, that there are passages in his recent pamphlets on the Cathedral question the tone of which he cannot defend. Both pamphlets are withdrawn from circula

tion.

the part of the Rev. G. H. Wilkinson, M.A., a former Curate of KenPreference of the surplice before the black gown for preaching, on sington, is giving anxiety to weak-minded parishioners of St. Peter's, Pimlico, who seem to think that to omit a change of vestments during a continuous Service is something akin to the wearing of a scarlet petticoat.-Kensington News.

Dean Stanley publishes in Macmillan, with an intimation of his general approval, a paper which he received some time back from a Clergyman in the south east corner of England, advocating the appointment of a Church Council of Clergy and Laity to whom disputed points might be referred, so as to frequently prevent the necessity of an appeal to the Courts of Law.

Dissenting Chapels of the old school (says the Choir), with their tiers of galleries, have often been likened to theatres; but at Hantly, in Staffordshire, we understand that the theatre which is shortly to be pulled down to make way for a new and handsome structure was in reality a Methodist Meeting-house, the only alteration made on its change of tenancy being the erection of the stage.

The Bishop of Exeter, at a meeting of the Diocesan Board of Education in Exeter, on Tuesday, said the thing chiefly worth fighting for was that religious instruction should be given by the schoolmaster. He thought it better that they should come to a compromise on this matter, and that they should use the Bible for religious instruction in these schools, but no distinctive formulary.

brated the Holy Communion in the temporary Church, and at the eleven o'clock Service there was a large gathering of Clergy and Laity, the Bishop and Clergy entering the Church in procession, chanting the 84th Psalm. His Lordship preached from St. Luke i. 37; and in the course of his Sermon bore testimony to the love cherished throughout the Diocese for his predecessor. The offertory was £135.

The following licence has been formally given by the Bishop of Win-cated to St. Luke. At eight o'clock a.m. the Bishop of Lichfield celechester:-"I, Samuel, by Divine permission Lord Bishop of Winchester, do give my permission to Edward Cecil Hertslet to read the Lessons in the Parish Church of Richmond, Surrey.—(Signed) S. WINTON.” A Mission is being held in the Diocese of Winchester. It commenced on Monday morning, with a Celebration in the Cathedral at 7.15, at which about 130 persons were present. A correspondent writes to us that at the Evening Service at the Cathedral "there was a very large and fashionable congregation to hear the Bishop of Winchester, but very few poor people."

The Bishop of Colombo will, it is believed, resign his See, and will accept the Vicarage of Dudley, vacant by the death of Dr. Brown. The Bishop of Colombo has been in England for some time, on account of health, and had just received a further extension of three months' leave of absence from his Diocese, to which he was appointed in 1862. Bishop Claughton is the younger brother of the Bishop of Rochester. It is rumoured that Simeon's Trustees are about to appoint Bishop Ryan to the vacant Vicarage of Bradford. We are authorised to state that the Rev. Henry Cheetham, the Vicar of Quarndon, has not accepted the Bishopric of Sierra Leone. We have reason to know that, as the Bishopric in question is not yet actually vacant, it cannot be strictly offered to the immediate acceptance of any one.-.

-Rock.

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We understand that a copy of the forthcoming "Defence of Holy Orders in the Church of England, including the Photozincograph of the Register of Archbishop Parker's Consecration," taken from the original Register at Lambeth (by Sir H. James, R.E., of Her Majesty's Ordnance Survey, Southampton), by permission of his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury, has been presented by the Editor, the Rev. T. J. Bailey, B.A., to his Holiness the Archbishop of Syra and Tenos.

The Bishop of Oxford has been holding Confirmations in his Diocese, and the Guardian says the Bishop laid his hands on two candidates at a time; saying, however, the words "Defend, O Lord, this Thy child," over each candidate separately, and the remainder of the formula with one hand on the head of each of the two who knelt before him. He also used the word "child" instead of "servant " in every case but one (that of an old woman), though there were several adults.

The large congregation which flocks to St. John's, Waterloo-road, on Sunday evenings to hear Father Ignatius preach do not contribute at the offertory as largely as the Rev. Father thinks they should do. On Sunday evening he told them in the course of his Sermon that after clearing expenses there was only sixteen shillings left. Ladies with rings up to the first joint of their fingers gave threepenny pieces-if he knew who put the threepenny pieces in the bags he should go round and return them.

It has been ascertained that one square mile in the East-end of London contains 20,000 children, the most uncared for in the community, "receiving no regular instruction"-in fact gutter-children. We commend the above to the serious consideration of the Church Association. With the large funds at their disposal they surely might do something for the spiritual welfare of these neglected ones, then we should really believe that they had a zeal for God's glory.

A handsome stained window has been placed in the Church of Withy combe, Raleigh, by Mr. J. Bell, of Bristol (the designer). It is the gift of J. B. D. Thomas, Esq., of the Parsonage, Withycombe, and Tregoes, Glamorganshire, and is in memory of Louisa, his wife, who died May 22nd, 1859. The groups represented are the "Good Samaritan," "Mary Magdalene anointing the feet of Jesus," "the Woman of Samaria cured of her plague."

The Tablet is evidently much annoyed with the Rev. E. Husband returning to the Anglican branch of the Church, and remarks that whatever Mr. Edward Husband may for a few months have called himself, he was never a Catholic at all. To quote Dr. Newman, "a man who did not really hold whatever the Church then or at any future time, should teach,' never had the indispensable and elementary faith of a Catholic, and was simply no subject for reception into the fcld of the Church."

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The present Premier (writes a correspondent of the Church Review) can hardly have the same horror of the task of Bishop-making which a predecessor had. When the present Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol received the offer of his Bishopric from Lord Palmerston, he explained that he was a Conservative, and might have to vote against the Government, and that, therefore, the Premier might like to withdraw his offer. But the jovial. Minister replied, "Come along and have some lunch. There is only one thing I have to ask of you-don't die."

On the Feast of the Annunciation, Miss Lonsdale laid the chief corner stone of a memorial Church to her father at Derby, which is to be dedi

A reredos has just been completed in All Saints' Church, South Lynn, Norfolk. It consists of a centre, having three large panels with smaller ones between them, carved canopies, and pinnacles. The panels are polished alabaster, inlaid with a cross in gold mosaic, and the sacred Each side of the wall, as high as the monogram in red marble. window-sill, is faced with stone, with incised patterns upon it, finished with a panelled and carved cornice. Above this the whole of the east Peter and St. Paul painted on a gold background. wall has been pointed and diapered, relieved by two medallions of St.

Association in the Mackonochie case. The Spectator throws some light upon the recent flight of the Church It says: "It was rumoured that Lord Chancellor looked carefully into the whole question, and have the legal advisers of Mr. Mackonochie have since the decision of the advised that gentleman to take no notice of any further proceedings that may be taken in connection with the suit, and to refuse payment of costs on the ground that the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council have no power to enforce costs. It was rumoured that counsel for the promoter were fully cognisant of the dilemma in which their client was placed, and that that knowledge on both sides was the reason why the case was not brought on."

As the Dean and Chapter of Worcester would not accept his offer of a donation of £10,000, on the condition that no more musical festivals should take place in the Cathedral of that city, Lord Dudley has made another offer. His Lordship, writing to the editor of the Worcester Journal, says:—“I venture to suggest that the work of restoration be carried out in this way. Let the county and city make themselves responsible, through a committee, for the sum of £5,000 each during the next three years, to which I will add a third £5,000 without any other condition than this, that if this arrangement is not carried out, the opposition to the acceptance of the present offer by the Dean and Chapter shall not be pressed."

Two three-light painted and stained-glass windows have just been erected in the Church of Elton, Hants, viz., one at the east end of the south aisle, in the centre opening of which is the "Crucifixion," in the dexter opening the "Baptisin," and in the sinister opening is the "Resurrection of our Saviour." Each group is under a canopy with inscription at the base. The window adjoining (south) contains in the centre opening the "Nativity," in the dexter opening the "Annunciation," and in the sinister opening the Angel at the Sepulchre with the three Marys." These are in medallion shapes and mosaic background, with inscription at the base. The windows were executed by Messrs. Baillie and Co., 118, Wardour-street, London.

On Wednesday, March 23rd, the Lord Bishop of Ely held a Confirmation in the fine old Parish Church of Poddington, Beds. The Service began at three p.m. with the Litany, read by the Rev. J. Geldart, the Vicar of the parish. The Bishop read the Confirmation Service, and then proceeded to confirm 44 candidates. The Bishop gave a very practical and feeling address, with which the whole congregation seemed deeply impressed, the Church being well filled with worshippers. Of other Clergymen there were present the Rev. Wm. Monk, of Wymington, Rev. S. J. Lyon, of Farndish, and Rev. M. Pozey, of Bozeat. The Wymington candidates were afterwards entertained at tea by their by their Vicar. Rector at the Rectory, and the Poddington candidates at the Vicarage

Speaking of the Mackonochie case before the Privy Council the English Churchman says:-"As it does not appear to be generally known what the circumstances were under which the proposed proceedings against Mr. Mackonochie before the Judicial Committee collapsed last Saturday, we will state them. Late on Thursday he filed affidavits by his three Curates and two Churchwardens, in each of which it was denied, in the most positive and unequivocal terms, that the paten or chalice is raised above the head, or that any prostrations are made during the Prayer of Consecration. These affidavits were in answer to the three on which the petitioner relied. In consequence of the filing of the above documents, the Counsel for Mr. Martin withdrew the motions which had been presented to the Court. Further action will now come, if at all, from his Lordship the Bishop."

Mr. G. Brooks, as Proctor for the Incumbent and Churchwardens of

St. Chad, Haggerston, has presented a petition to the Chancellor of the Communion table in the south aisle of the Church. The learned Judge Diocese, praying him to confirm the introduction by them of a Holy accepted the petition, and decreed a citation to issue. And now comes the extraordinary part of the announcement. Mr. Moore, Proctor, will oppose the grant of a faculty or licence to confirm the introduction of the Communion table, on the part of the Church Association! What this Association can have to do with the question we cannot conceive; this, however, we can confidently assert that not one member of the Association will ever attend the Church at early morn to receive the

Blessed Sacrament before he break his fast, or go there to worship our Blessed Lord present on the altar. As spies some of them may perhaps go, and so carry away with them a curse instead of a blessing.

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On Sunday afternoon Canon Liddon preached for an hour and a-half at St. James's, Piccadilly, on the subject of Prayer. We must bear in mind (he said in conclusion) that some particular boon can never be the sole object of prayer. Prayer is the Communion of man with his Maker a satisfaction and a blessing in itself, not involving necessarily the desire to get something out of the best-beloved of man's friends, but shown in the Jubilate as much as in the Litany, while to supplement the deficiencies of his praise or his petition he knows that before the face of the living God he has an intercessor in the Son, who ever pleads for man, and who has Himself in His agony in the garden taught that prayer is no inactive thing, but real struggle, real work-a work which, if resolutely done, will when the night cometh, and the sun of life is setting, stand a source of hope and consolation amid a thousand regrets of wasted time and misdirected energy."

The Bishop of Toronto has now in the press an exceedingly interesting contribution to the annals of the Colonial Church at large, but especially to the Canadian branch of it. It is a Life of the late Bishop Strachan, probably one of the most remarkable men the Colonial Church has ever produced, and who in the vast power he exercised over both Church and State for many years in his adopted country resembled more the great Ecclesiastical politicians of the middle ages than a nineteenth century Bishop. The present Bishop is singularly qualified to execute the labour of love which he has now almost completed. He was the late Bishop's favourite pupil, then his confidential friend and adviser, his Chaplain, the Principal of his Divinity School, and his Archdeacon. All his predecessor's papers have been placed in his hands, so that few biographers have had such excellent opportunities of doing full justice to their subject. It is hoped that the work will be published about Easter.

In his Pastoral, Father Lowder says:-"Especially let us endeavour to consecrate Good Friday to the solemn contemplation of His Crucifixion, by Whom alone we can attain eternal life. Spend as much as possible of that Holy Day in Church. For the sake of your neighbours, accompany us if you can in the solemn procession, by which we shall endeavour to bring home to them the lessons and warnings which Jesus has left us in the painful Way of the Cross, and to preach in the streets and highways the story of a Saviour's dying love. Neglect not, I pray you, the opportunities for making a good Confession before Easter, that with pure hearts and peaceful consciences you may be fitted to enter into the joys of our Easter Festival, and to kneel at the Holy Altar, where He, on that most glorious of all Sunday Mornings, will graciously impart to us His own Risen Life. Let me persuade you to keep with devotion the whole Easter Octave, that having joined in the mourning of Lent, we may rejoice together in our Blessed Lord's Resurrection."

"A Herefordshire Incumbent," writing in the Times, says: "There undoubtedly exists an irreligious as well as a religious fanaticism, and one at least as violent in its manifestations. It is a matter of notoriety that many men of education and undoubted sincerity have brought themselves to regard every form of Christianity with extreme dislike, and, both by their writings and by the exercise of their influence in every possible way, endeavour to overthrow and undermine it. That these persons constitute the pith and strength of the great Secularist party on the education question, few who know them will be inclined to deny. Is it not intolerance to proscribe the teaching any form of Christianity, whatever it may be, in schools provided by the professors of that form, so long as its tenets are not forced upon any, and good secular instruction is provided for all the children who attend them? What would have been the state of education among the poor save for the efforts of Churchmen during the last quarter of a century? Is it too much to hope that the justice in store for Ireland may be extended to this country, and that something like an acknowledgment of tenant-right and compensation for improvements may find place in the treatment of Churchmen evicted under the new standard of criminality?

A correspondent in the Exeter Gazette calls attention to the disgraceful state of Littleham Church. He says:-"I have some dear friends, like Mrs. Admiral Nesham, Mrs. Agassiz, and others lying in Littleham Churchyard; and whenever I am sojourning at Exmouth, I make a point of attending the afternoon Services at Littleham Church, and visiting their graves. Accordingly, last Sunday afternoon week, I went to Littleham Church; but I had not been in it five minutes before I experienced a most peculiar sensation, the like of which can only be felt in a Charnelhouse, or an ill-ventilated grave vault. For several days subsequently I felt the dire effects of the stench and dampness of the Church. In my walks I happened to meet one day an official of the Church, and remonstrated with him on its filthy and dangerous condition. "Well, sir," in reply, he said, "the fact is you are not the only one who bitterly complains of the state of our old Church, and some of our wealthiest parishioners won't come near what they don't hesitate to call your offensive old Church. The truth is, sir, underneath the Church are numerous vaults filled with coffins, and many of the bodies, to my certain knowledge, are floating in water, and as the floor of the old Church is completely riddled with holes from age and want of repair, the fumes that arise of course fill the place. The farmers and their people don't at

present complain, but they will by and bye, I am sure, for I myself suffer from it sometimes."

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A Mission has been held in the Diocese of Norwich, the promoters of which wish it to be distinctly understood "that it in no way resembled the recent Mission in London." And in one sense, a correspondent informs us, it certainly did not. The London Mission was attended by thousands of worshippers-men, women, boys, and girls, going to Church really to join heartily in the success, whereas the Norwich Mission was a miserable failure. The only Church where the Mission was in any way a success was at St. Lawrence, Norwich, which the Record designates "a notorious Ritualistic outpost." Of the Services at this Church, the Bury Post says:-" During last week, the occasion of the Church's Call,' the Rector, the Rev. E. A. Hillyard, at a conference of working men, proposed holding such a Service in St. Lawrence Church after the usual Services as should meet their views. Accordingly, on Sunday afternoon, at half-past three, the Church was crowded with working people. The Service provided was remarkably simple-as simple as that conducted in many Dissenting places of worship. It comprised the singing of two psalms by the whole congregation, the reading of a portion of Scripture (selected by a committee of working men), the Lord's Prayer, an extempore prayer, and an able extempore discourse, and lasted barely an hour. There was no form or ceremony; that our Church Services are too long for the working class, so he has Mr. Hillyard did not even put on his surplice. Mr. Hillyard is of opinion adopted this plan to get them to attend a place of worship."

The New York Church Journal copies the following unique announcement from the columns of the Berkshire (Mass.,) Courier :— "The Ladies' Aid Society of the Episcopal Church of North Canaan, will hold a festival on Thursday evening, Feb. 17th, and besides the oysters, cakes, coffee, and chicken fixings usual on such occasions, there will be enacted by the Canaan opera troupe (whose fame has been spread abroad aforetime) the improved and enlarged edition of the musical burletta entitled 'Bombastes Furioso.' Mr. W. B. White has been engaged as chief violinist, and any of the guests disposed to linger after supper, may have an opportunity to disport themselves in the intricacies of the mazy." As North Canaan is in Connecticut, and the Courier is published in Great Barrington, the phase of Churchmanship indicated by this announcement, is of the hazy, debateable sort peculiar to the border. We thought we understood the relation of fairs to the Voluntary Principle, but were hardly prepared for Bombastes Furioso and "the intricacies of the mazy." No doubt the Ordinary of the Diocese of Connecticut shares our disgust.

Apropos of this the New York Churchman informs us that Bishop Kip, speaking of Church Fairs, said:-" As a principle I do not believe in them any way. But very objectionable are those scenes when the festival degenerates into a ball or when the laws of the state are openly violated, and raffles and lotteries are offered to the visitors. The whole of this system is sinful and has been practised to an extent which has brought disgrace upon the cause of religion."

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The Times Roman Correspondent writes:-"The atmosphere of Rome is becoming less and less calm. The Orientals are very restless. No wonder. The giant said to be buried alive under Etna had every right to turn in his bed if he could. The Chaldeans-Siro-Caldeans they ought to be called-have appealed to the French as protectors of the East, stating in express terms that their Bishops here have been bought must vote as they are bid, and do as they are bid, or they will suffer for This can only mean what all the world knows-that their Bishops it. The French Government, however, has promised to take them under its care, as well as the Armenians. The latter are now pushing their quarrel into Rome itself, taking courage possibly from the presence of a Turkish Envoy, Rustim Bey, a man of Italian extraction. There is an Armenian convent here, not far from St. Peter's. Last Thursday or Friday the Pope sent a Monseigneur to make an official or apostolic' visit. The Armenians refused to admit him, said the convent was their own property, and that no one had a right to enter. The Pope sent Monseigneur again, this time, it is said, with a 'thundering' letter. The Armenians sent him back again with his letter. They then betook themselves to the Turkish Envoy, who declined to enter into the religious question, but was here, he said, to protect his master's subjects, and would do so. It appears that the question is not a new one, having occurred before at the American Monastery in the island of St. George, near Venice. The ill-disposed are hoping to see the Turkish flag flying over the convent here within sight of St. Peter's. In this instance the Papal interference had been provoked, or precipitated, by an awkward incident. On Wednesday, in the Via Giulia, the long straight street leading from the suspension bridge to the back of the Farnese Palace, the police were sent to arrest an Oriental Priest who had been going about expressing himself freely on the Pope's claim to Infallibility. The Priest made a stout resistance, and got wounded in the scuffle. His friends ran off for help, and found a Bishop of his rite, who came to the rescue, and, seeing his brother covered with blood, got involved in the dispute, and received himself a violent blow in the face, which set his nose bleeding. The police seemed to have relented at the sight, for they allowed the Bishop to take the Priest into his carriage and drive off, first to the French Embassy, where they received advice and consolation, and then to Rustim Bey, under whose protection they placed themselves. Next day the

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Envoy had an audience of the Pope, it is not known with what result. It was the day after this unpleasant affair that the Pope, in distributing the sacred vestments supplied by a religious association, expressed himself with so much tact and tenderness on the subject of Oriental rites and customs. Two decrees have appeared, the one beatifying and canonizing a Saint, the other recognizing the immemorial worship of one. CONVOCATION.-The Rev. E. O. Phillips, M.A., Vicar of Aberystwith has consented to be put in nomination for the seat vacant by the elevation of the Rev. J. Hughes to the Bishopric of St. Asaph.

ST. MARY, NEWINGTON.-The Rector and Rural Dean of this parish has recently nominated for his co-helpers in the district of the Parish Church the three following:-The Rev. G. J. Story, of King's College, London; the Rev. Edward Curtis, of St. Alban Hall, Oxford; and the Rev. R. J. Roe, of Trinity College, Dublin, M.A.

BROMHAM, BEDS.-On Friday the Bishop of Ely confirmed one hundred and eleven candidates in the Parish Church of this pretty little village. In former times the candidates from the villages around Bedford had to go into the town to be confirmed. But three years since the present Bishop kindly consented to hold a Confirmation at Bromham, the consequence of which has been a marked improvement both in the number and demeanour of the candidates. Since the last Confirmation, the Church has been beautifully restored, under the direction of Mr. Butterfield. The Bishop made a most impressive address to the candidates, especially insisting upon the duty of early and frequent participation of the Holy Communion.

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN CHURCH.-At the Parish Church of Stanton Fitzwarren, Swindon, North Wilts, on Sunday last, the Incumbent, the Rev. F. M. Rowden (an extreme Low Churchman), in place of a Sermon delivered a long address, commenting upon a letter he had received from the Churchwardens. It appears that the Churchwardens were dissatisfied with the way in which the Service was conducted, and addressed a private letter to Mr. Rowden, calling his attention to several points on which it seemed to them that he did not act with becoming reverence, and others in which he deviated from the rubric. Mr. Rowden, on the following Sunday, announced his intention of reading the letter in Church. A crowded congregation was the result. The Service was conducted in the usual way until after the Communion, when he took off his surplice and mounted the pulpit in a black gown. He then proceeded to comment upon the principal points of the letter, stigmatizing the Churchwardens as tyrannical, and the letter as oppressive, but confessing that he had not been so careful as he should have been upon one point mentionedthe disposition of the consecrated elements left unconsumed after Communion. Mr. Rowden said he had continually given way to the wish of one of the Churchwardens, who played the organ and allowed music which was against his convictions, out of a desire for peace; but having received this letter, in future no music would be permitted except the Venite, Te Deum, Jubilate, and two hymns in the morning; and the Magnificat, Nunc Dimittis, and two hymns in the evening.

PROTESTANT-SPYING INTO CONVENTS.-On the subject of Convent Visitation the Tablet writes:-"Although the immediate subject of Mr. Newdegate's proposed enquiry is the status and property of Conventual and Monastic Institutions, yet he took very good care to raise the question of their internal management as well. An enquiry into their means of subsistence is evidently to be supplemented by an inspection of their mode of life. Such briefly are the facts-the view which we take of our position is very simple. First, the Catholic institutions of this country have nothing whatever to be ashamed of; they have nothing to fear from becoming known more completely than they are. So far as the honour, the freedom, the truth, the charity, the supernatural sanctity of the lives, and even the present welfare and cheerful happiness of their inmates are concerned, they could court inspection with infinitely greater indifference and confidence than the homes of our gentry or aristocracy. For ourselves, we feel the greatest certainty that a public inspection of our Convents would lead to the most complete overthrow of that blind fanaticism and bigotry against Convents and the virginal life which received so rude a shock in the results of the Saurin trial. But this is not the point. The question is, whether we are to sanction a breach of the independence of every British subject in sound mind, which designates his home as his castle? The question is, whether we are to allow Mr. Newdegate and a combined faction of anti-Catholic bigots to bring a Parliamentary impeachment against the honour, virtue, independence, seclusion, home, and happiness of our daughters, sisters, kinsfolk, and friends? The question is, whether those whose lives are as dear to us as our own are to be subjected to public and Parliamentary enquiry, to please, not the friends and relatives, nor the persons concerned, nor the Catholic public of these islands, nor even the great mass of our fellow-countrymen, who are at last beginning to understand us; but to please a faction of the House of Commons and the Society of Exeter Hall?"

CANON WOODARD'S SCHOOLS.-Canon Woodard, in a letter to the Sussex Express, says: "It is proposed to open a large portion of the Ardingley School, viz., the principal quadrangle the head master's house-the hall and lecture rooms on the 14th June next, on which

occasion the Bishop of Winchester will preach the inaugural Sermon. There will on that day be accommodation for the head master and his family, 14 other masters, and 450 boys. But as about 300, being at present educated in hired houses in Shoreham, will be moved into these permanent buildings, only 150 places remain to be filled. Parents, therefore, wishing to enter their sons, should apply for that purpose, or for a prospectus, to the Rev. F. M. D. Mertens, New Shoreham. This is, I believe, the first really public school in England, or, perhaps in Europe, for a class of boys who can only afford to pay about £15 a-year for food and for instruction, and which at the same time is conducted by invites notice, and friendly criticism which will be thankfully received. Graduates, Clergymen, and other well-qualified masters; as such it For my own part I sincerely trust that it will prove a comfort and a blessing to many, and be the means of calling forth much latent talent for the public service in Church and State. Day schools in large towns are a necessity, but the truest idea of an English education is to be found in our public schools where a considerable number of boys live and work together, and compete in the school and playgrounds in a lawful rivalry. The very small charge made may produce some little difficulty at first, but every year difficulties will decrease and the school grow stronger, and better. The important career on which it is now about to enter will be watched by me with intense interest to my latest day. Let me also bespeak the interest of your readers for this, the youngest and humblest of public schools. Great things may be done in it if those who have benefited by our old public schools will turn a friendly eye towards it. 1st. By partially There are many ways in which it can be served. endowing masterships so as to give a better choice of masters. One sum of £3,000, to be followed, I hope, by other like sums, has already been given for this purpose. 2nd. By founding scholarships, open to competition, or otherwise. 3rd. By endowing professors for special studies, such as the Natural Science, Agriculture, School of Design, &c. On these or any other points leading to the improvement of the plan of the schools I shall be happy to be personally addressed at my residence here, Henfield, Sussex.

the House of Commons on the subject of Suffragan Bishops, when Mr. SUFFRAGAN BISHOPS.-On Thursday evening there was a discussion in Gladstone made the following speech:- With respect to the probable appointment of Suffragan Bishops throughout the country, which the question seemed to assume, he could make no positive statement, except that he had not heard there was any likelihood of the multiplication of its own merits, and the Government would expect that the Prelate such applications. Each application would, of course, be considered on making it should lay before them the special grounds on which it was made. As to the funds out of which the salaries of Suffragan Bishops because the matter was arranged by the Bishop with the Suffragan, and should be paid, the information of the Government was very limited, applying for the appointment of a Suffragan on any public fund whatno demand of any kind would in any case be made by the Prelate ever, whether funds under the control of that House or of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. In reply to the second question, he had to state that it was not the intention of the Government to propose any alteration of the law passed in the reign of Henry VIII. In truth the exceeding difficulty of submitting any satisfactory plan to Parliament for the extension of the Episcopate, combined with the general acknowledgment which Parliament itself had repeatedly given of the needed increase of Episcopal assistance, was that which had greatly contributed to lead the Government to the conclusion that they would best discharge their duty by availing themselves of every means which the present law already afforded. They did not, however, take that view of the law indicated in the question by the words "the selection of such members of the Episcopal body being practically vested altogether in the hands of the individual Archbishops and Bishops." It was, in the first place, only in a very qualified sense that Suffragan Bishops could be called members of the Episcopal body, inasmuch as they not only had no seats in Parliament, but no statutable recognition beyond the conferring of the Episcopal character and the power to act by delegation. They had besides no jurisdiction, and in the event of the sudden death of the Diocesan Bishop in each case in which a Suffragan had been appointed, the functions of that Suffragan would lapse altogether, and he would be rendered incapable of performing any Episcopal act in virtue of his commission as Suffragan. His hon. friend appeared to think that the power of selection was in the hands of individual Archbishops and Bishops. That was a supposition which was not, however, in the view of the Government, quite correct. It was quite true that the names of proposed Suffragans might be forwarded in order that the Queen might make a selection; but the Act was not compulsory on the Crown. It was, therefore, in the power of the Government, if they saw cause to do so, to require to be informed who the persons intended to be proposed were before consenting to entertain the matter at all in any given case. The Government, therefore, possessed a control much beyond that which appeared to be implied by the simple stipulation of the Act that two names should be given in by the person making the application, and that one of those two names should be selected. He wished to add that the question was a very novel one. The expedient of appointing Suffragan Bishops was one on which the Government thought it their duty to fall back, under all the circumstances of the case, and ample ground could, in his opinion, be shown to justify them in having adopted that course."

THE IRISH CHURCH CONVENTION.

At Tuesday's sitting of the Convention the question of the mode of election to the Primacy of Armagh was reopened.

It was moved by Mr. Murphy to rescind the resolution of the Archdeacon of Connor, to the effect that the appointment should not lie with the Diocese itself, but with the Bench of Bishops. The debate occupied the greater portion of the day, a large number of suggestions and amendments having been brought forward and rejected; but at length a motion of the Archbishop of Dublin was accepted by a majority of seventy-one Clergymen and fifty-six laymen.

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That on the occurrence of a vacancy in the See of Armagh, the Diocesan Synod of Armagh shall send up the names of four Bishops to the Bench of Bishops, and that when these are submitted the Bishops should make their choice of the Archbishop of Armagh; that the Diocesan Synod of Armagh and the Diocese left vacant by the Bishop chosen to the Primacy should each send up the name of a Presbyter to the Bench of Bishops, and that out of those two the Bishops shall select one to the vacant See."

At Thursday's sitting the Convention discussed a proposal in favour of a petition to Parliament, urging that the Commutation date might be altered from the 1st of January, 1870, to an earlier day.

Several speakers thought that the presentation of a petition would place the Convention in a degrading position; the better plan would be to ask a Conservative member to introduce a motion into the House of Commons on the subject.

The subject was resumed on Friday. Mr. W. Barlow Smythe again moved the adoption of a petition to Parliament asking that the terms for commutation might be improved. After considerable discussion, the motion was withdrawn.

The third chapter of the draft Constitution, concerning the election of Bishops and the appointment of Ministers to cures, was read a third time, and after considerable discussion, and the adoption of several unimportant amendments, was passed. It was then agreed that the House, at its rising on Saturday, should adjourn till October, the day to be named by the Primate. The House then proceeded to consider the subject of finance. The Rev. Mr. Gregg brought forward a proposition to the effect that all money collected be handed over by the parochial authorities to the Diocesan Council, and by them to the Treasurers of the Central Fund, in each case distinguishing the sums given specially for diocesan and parochial purposes, provided that funds to be invested on behalf of diocesan and parochial trusts may, at the option of the donor, be managed by the Diocesan Synod, and vested through the intervention of Trustees appointed by them. The proposition was adopted; as also another suggestion by Mr. Carden, that it should be lawful for the parochial authorities to transmit all money collected direct to the Representative Body.

Notes, Literary, Archæological, &c.

Professor Tyndall's lecture on "Dust" is to appear in French. Germany has lost her greatest political economist, Professor Rau, of Heidelberg.

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that Sheriff Tofts, Mr. Lindsay . . . . or any four or three of them, shall from time to time meet together and repair to the several Churches in this city [Norwich] and view the same, and take notice of such scandalous pictures, crucifixes, and images as are yet remaining in the same Churches, and demolish or cause the same to be demolished. Upon this, these new constituted Reformers, relying on the support of Vestments, both copes the soldiers, began to view the Churches. and surplices, together with the leaden cross which had been newly Service books were carried to the fire in the public market-place, a lewd sawn down from over the green-yard pulpit, and the singing books and wretch walking before the train in his cope trailing in the dirt, with a Service book in his hand, imitating in an impious scorn the tune, and usurping the words of the Litany. This parade was on March the 9th, at which time the court was then sitting in the Guild Hall, in the market, and ordered that seven Popish pictures that were taken from S. Swithins, the Angel and four Evangelists taken at S. Peters, and Moses and Aaron and the four Evangelists that came from the Cathedral, and some other superstitious pictures, shall be burnt in the open marketplace, this day."

Fragmenta et Miscellanea.

VESTMENTS, COPES, &c., TEMP. ELIZABETH.-I.
(After the date of the Advertisements.)

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SIR. The following excerpts taken from Extracts from the State Papers" (Church Review)-Nos. 69, 70, and 76-Sept.-Dec. 1867-seem not unworthy of a reprint at the present time. From the first of these important testamentary notes (A.D. 1566) we may infer, without straining a point, that copes were then legal at other Services than during "Celebration" or "Table Prayers"-with all due deference to Sir R. Phillimore. Besides "Vestments" for the Communion office, we have here an instance of a cope left for the "maintainance of Divine Service," and not for the Eucharistic office only-in a Parish Church.

In the second will (1568) we found a bequest to a Sussex Parish Church of a Vestment for the Communion Service, and also (pace Sir Robert) "a fair cope "-not for the Holy Sacrament alone, but for the Priest to go a Procession in." Copes for other than Eucharistic offices, copes for Evensong-for processions, as here, &c.-cannot be shown successfully to have been illegal in 1568-four years after the Advertisements were issued-but the contrary. Why, therefore, in the absence of subsequent prohibitory legislation against their maintenance at other times than the Communion, are they to be, by a novel construction, made to appear unlawful in 1870, when used in the manner referred to.

In the third will (1569) we have a legacy to a collegiate Chapel of(pace Sir Robert again)"copes, tunicles, albs, and pieces to them belonging "-i.e., maniples, stoles, and aurices, the two former of which "appurtenances are wrongfully condemned by the late perplexing decision in the Court of Arches.

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June 10, eighth year of Elizth, and A.D. 1566. Proved before [Parker]
Archbishop of Canterbury in London, May 8, 1571.
Humphrey Colles. Esq., of Beerton, co. Somerset.*
Furthermore, I will to the Churchwardens of the parish of Corff, in
the county of Somerset, to the use of the same Church, and maintainance

Negotiations are in progress at Berlin with regard to a revision of the of the same Church, and maintainance of Divine Service there, the COPE literary copyright convention between France and Prussia.

The English press at Bangkok, in Siam, besides a weekly newspaper produces a magazine on Siamese subjects called the Repository, and has à "Directory" in progress.

The members of the new sect of the Brahmoo, or Indian Theists, are beginning to appear, of course in small numbers, at the examinations of the Calcutta University.

A complete Shakespeare Grammar, treating all the points in which his phraseology differs from modern usage, is in the press, written by the Rev. Edwin A. Abbott.

of velvet embroidered that my wife lent to the parishioners there, and all VESTMENTS and other furniture of mine whatsoever the Churchwardens have, meet for the maintenance of Divine Service there.

Also, I give and bequeath to the said Churchwardens, for the use and maintainance of the ornaments, and reparations of the said Parish Church of Corff, 20s.

[Many legacies to poor of various parishes.] Queen's Highness' Solicitor-General; and his son John Colles. Executors-Sir Hugh Pawlet, Knight; and Wm. Rowsewill, the

Mr. W. W. Skeat is re-editing for the Early English Text Society the my curious verse, "Life of Joseph of Arimathea,' printed by Pynson, with its account of several miraculous cures wrought at the time of its publication.

In the miscellaneous items of the Athenæum it is stated with deep regret that the fire at Mr. Mavor Watts's printing-office destroyed the whole impression of the fourth part of Mr. Lane's "Arabic Dictionary." The proof-shects have escaped.

In reference to the pronounciation of Latin, a correspondent states that the old manner of pronouncing the vowels and some of the consonants of Latin words has been revived in the University of Cambridge, and, following the high authority of Mr. Munro, the Professor of Latin, the Latin grace on Sunday week was read in the Hall of Trinity College very much as it is heard in a Scotch school. The change has also, we hear, been adopted at King's College, and will probably soon become universal. Perhaps the new old method will be required from the competitors at the next weewa woky examination.-Record.

A correspondent sends us the following quotation from "Blomefield's Norfolk," vol. 3, chap. 29:- 1644, January 10th.-Committees to view the Churches for pictures and crucifixes were appointed, it being ordered

A codicil, 16 Oct., 12 Elizth.: "Two other exors. to be joined with

former executors-viz., Ames Powlet and Thomas Mallett, Esqs."

A second codicil, 24 Nov., 13 Elizth.

A third codicil, 17 Dec., 13 Elizth.

March 29, 1568, and 10 Eliz. Proved before Wm. Drury, Doctor of Law and Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, in London, Sept. 2, 1579 [and 21 Eliz.]

Edmund Fford, of Harting within the county of Sussex, The xxix. of March, the year of our Lord a thousand, five hundred, threescore, eight [1568], being the tenth year of the reign of our sovereign lady Elizabeth, by the Grace of God Queen of England, France, and Ireland.

Item, I give and bequeath to the Parish Church of Harting, towards the buying of a fair COPE for the Priest to go a' procession in, and a fair embroidered thereon, and written underneath in a fair scroll, “Ford and VESTMENT to SING MASS in, with my arms and my wife's to be fair Cheseman," or other Ornaments most necessary if the law will not permit the other, ten pounds.

* Probate Office, Doctors' Commons. The arms of Ford were-Azure, three lions rampant, crowned or (crest), a demi-lion rampant crowned or. The arms of Cheeseman were-Per chev embattled, sable and argent, 3 mullets pierced, counterchanged-all within a bordure engrailed, ermines (crest ?), a dexter hand holding up a king's crown (?).

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