LECTURE V. Ir is not necessary to do more than not consent to give up the Established enumerate the heads of the remaining Church,' while they do give up the hope of Lectures; the argument has closed, and additional and large grants for Church Exthey are devoted to an examination of tension. Friends of the Established Church the causes, that hinder the practical effi- in theory, they are (by giving up its national extension) practically forwarding the object ciency of the National Church. of its adversaries. Their ultimate design, Having referred to the spiritual neces- indeed, is the total demolition of even the sities of the country, Mr. M'Neile traces existing Establishment; but knowing that the refusal by the Legislature of adequate to avow this broadly would raise against grants for Church Extension to a want of them the prejudice (as they consider it) confidence in revelation; and "a growing which as yet ranges the bulk of the popula reference to the sincerity or even the tion on the side of the Church, their policy scruples of men, rather than to the re- is to demand at present only an instalment vealed will of God, as a ground of duty."—that the State should let the matter alone. “Religion is looked upon as a matter of They know full well, that if the extent of human sincerity, rather than Divine revelation." "An inevitable consequence has been, the growth of a feeling of injustice attending the propagation by public funds of what only a part of the population approve." "If there existed a confidence of right (I repeat) in the claims of Christianity at all, and a consequent willingness to extend it over the nation, something would be done. The increasing population could not be left as they are. It would not be possible to adopt any plan agreeable to all parties; but some plan unquestionably would be adopted, and the objections of those opposed to it would as a lesser of evils be made to give way. Churchmen ask for additional churches and endowed ministers at the public expense, to teach a known and defined creed, which is proved from the Scriptures, and the good effects of which are manifest wherever it is taught. Dissenters ask for the unencumbered voluntary principle that all endowments should ceaseand the Christian Church, as a community independent per se, let alone to its own resources; when (as they allege) it will spring forth with all the elasticity of its primitive expansiveness and fill the land. And we would implore our legislature to adopt one or other of these plans boldly and decidedly." the national Establishment be stationary, while the population of the country is rapidly progressive, the Establishment must of a sect in the nation-the invidious aspect soon cease to be national, and wear the aspect of a favoured sect; and then the injustice of having done so much for it will be argued from the want of confidence in it, which has shrunk from doing more. If it be but a sect (which never could be for the good of the whole), why favour it more than any other sect in the nation? why continue to sanction the prejudices and partialities of past ages? But if it be the Christian Church, an ordinance of God in all ages for good indeed to the whole, then why not keep it national in its extent, whatever objections individuals may urge against it? It is true, that the objectors to Church extension are they have become numerous, because the now numerous; but it is equally true, that Church was not long since extended. And where is this to end? If the argument from numbers be of force now, it is a force which before which the Established Church and goes directly to increase itself, and all the other free (because limited and defined) institutions of the country must be progressively and rapidly made to disappear?" Mr. M'Neile then proceeds to urge a subdivision of parishes (instead of the District system); and this, it seems, by He proceeds to quote Lord John Rus- Acts passed in the present reign, is in sel's speech on Mr. Duncombe's Church the unqualified power of the archbishops Rate Bill, (sec ante p. 120) and adds :and bishops. He would have compensa"Most cordially do we agree with the noble tion made to the present incumbents for lord. If an Established Church ceases to be loss of income thus occasioned; and for 'for the common good of the whole,' it the funds he looks to the owners of rich cannot consistently continue to be at all. If rectories (the clergy setting the lay its universality be given up, the principle impropriators the example), to voluntary of its existence is given up. Yet many contributions, and to national grants. deceive themselves by saying-' We will LECTURE VI. The concluding lecture is devoted to | nal defects in the present system of the the consideration of the following inter- Church of England: 1. The mode of adminstering baptism, | liberty in the strong. Granting the practices in consequence of the size of the parishes. in question not to be intrinsically sinful, it They should be subdivided, and baptisms will not be pretended that they are clerical performed during public worship. duties; the utmost pleaded for them is that But take heed, lest 2. Passages in some of the occasional they are indifferent. services, which are by many deemed objectionable. They should be placed between brackets, to be used or not, as the clergyman deems appropriate to the case. 3. The neglect of the study of elocution and the art of communicating knowledge, on the part of candidates for the ministry. by any means this liberty of your's become a stumbling-block to them that are weak; for if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.'' 5. The insufficient incomes of the clergy, compelling them to give part of Benefices in England and Wales 10,718 Total clergymen paid from Net annual Value of Bene- 15,948 £3,055,451. Equally divided, this would give no clergyman £200 a year. 6. The mode of appointing bishops. Either the Church should have a real choice, or no appearance of a choice. He would give entirely to the Crown "the selection of bishops from among the presbyters of the Church;' Crown and the Chancellor being still sworn Protestant and sworn Church." He concludes by shewing that religion, ,, the 4. Personal inconsistency in clergymen. "Whatever (says Mr. M'Neile)-whatever may be said in extenuation of the timewasting public amusements of society, of the quiet domestic or social card table, of the harmless occupations of farming or gardening, or of the advantages to science and literature derived from the researches or editorial criticisms of clergymen, it is very obvious, that men addicted to such pursuits can never so controul the feelings (call them prejudices, if you will) of mankind, as to be thoroughly effective in the work of the ministry. Their soundest expositions of doctrine, and most earnest exhortations to the performance of those Christian duties which they themselves practice, are neutralized by the intruding remembrance of the Christian devotedress which they do not practise, and the painful sense of inconsistency inseparable therefrom. In the estimation of the lower classes of society, especially with reference to those conversational controversies into which Churchmen as it governs man's motives, must govern in these days are perpetually drawn by his actions and therefore his politics. Dissenters, any questionable practices of a The free institutions of the country are clergyman are prejudicial in a degree not at stake. The constitution rests almost easily imagined to the best interests of the everything to the observance of an oath For some years I have been by our population-character, property, habitually cognisant of such controversies; life; and that rests (as to the bulk of the and the assaults which our poorer friends community) on the national establishare least able to withstand, are the ment of Christianity. Our people are Dissenter's appeal to the clergyman at the tempted to insubordination; and "if you card table, in the ball room, in the theatre, would keep the nation safe, you must on the race course. It is my conviction, keep the Church national. In vain shall that amongst the masses of the community, who are influenced by objects of sense more the Conservative implore, if the Christian than they can be by abstract arguments, and do not teach." who judge (and will judge) and feel con- unreasonable, as they are unscriptural." cerning the Church more from what is visible in her ministers than from what is essential in herself, this is a very great and grave matter. It is not easy to find a remedy; unless the subject were deemed of sufficient importance to induce special Episcopal prohibition, on the truly apostolical ground of enlarged charity towards the weak demanding restriction of individual Church. VOL. XII. "Half measures are as "Here a medium is madness. If Jehovah be God, follow Him; and if Baal, then do not be afraid to follow him. There are but two consistent characters in the world; the bold-faced atheist, and the enthusiastic Christian. "DO GOOD, O GOD, IN THY GOOD PLEASURE UNTO OUR ZION; BUILD THOU THE WALLS OF OUR Jerusalem.” Y the filling up of vacancies in the number of managers. "That the duties of the managers shall be the general superintendence, conduct, order, and direction of the affairs of the said chapels in all things not herein specially provided to the contrary. Ir is with great pleasure that we announce the conclusion of the litigation respecting these large chapels, so rich in mementos of the revival of true religion in our land. The disputes between the parties were at length referred to Mr. Boteler, Queen's counsel; and on the 13th of March he made his award, from which "That the managers shall have in we proceed to extract all that is material: particular the appointment and dismissal "I do award and order that the chapels of the stated ministers of the chapels, the called respectively the Tabernacle and invitation and discontinuance of the Tottenham-court-road Chapel, be esta- visiting ministers usually called supplies, blished as chapels for the worship of and the appointment and dismissal, at Almighty God by persons believing and their pleasure, of the reader at Tottenham professing the doctrines of the Thirty-court-road Chapel, the officer for offinine Articles of the Church of England, and the doctrines contained in the Catechism called the Assembly's Catechism, as the same were taught by the Rev. George Whitefield. And I do further award and order, that the following scheme, rules, and regulations be adopted and observed for the maintenance and conduct of the affairs of the said chapels; that is to say, SCHEME, RULES, AND REGULATIONS FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND CONDUCT OF THE ROAD CHAPEL. "That for the purpose of superintending and conducting of the affairs of the said chapels, there shall be from time to time therein, certain officers called managers, one or more stated minister or ministers, a reader of the Liturgy of the Church of England at Tottenham-courtroad-chapel, and, if necessary, another officer to officiate at the burial of the dead at the burial ground there, certain officers called brethren, and such clerks, sexton, and other inferior officers as the managers shall deem necessary. "That the managers shall not be more than four nor fewer than two in number; and shall all have and exercise equal authority in the superintending and conducting of the affairs of the said chapels. "That besides their general superintendence and conduct of the affairs of both chapels, when there are four of such managers, two of them shall attend more particularly to the affairs of the Tabernacle, and the other two of them more particularly to the affairs of Tottenham-courtroad Chapel. And there shall at all times be one manager to attend more particularly to the affairs of each chapel, and regard shall be had to these provisions in ciating at the burial of the dead at the burial-ground there, and of the clerks, sexton, and other inferior officers of the said chapels; and the fixing and regulation of all salaries, fees, perquisites, and other advantages to be paid to, or enjoyed by, the ministers and other officers of the said chapels; provided always, that no sstated minister of the said chapels shall be removed without just cause as hereinafter expressed, nor shall the salary of any stated minister be lowered unless the state of the funds and income of the chapels make it necessary. "That the managers shall also have in particular the superintendence of the repairs of the chapels, the letting of pews and seats in the chapels, the appointment of subscriptions and collections to be solicited and made at the chapels, and the receipt and payment of allmonies belonging to, or paid in respect ofthe said chapels, or of any matters relating thereto, except as herein specially provided to the contrary. "That the managers shall from time to time prescribe what matters shall be within the cognizance and order of any manager or managers, when acting separately, for the chapel to the affairs of which it is his or their duty particularly to attend. "That the managers shall meet at the Tabernacle-house and the chapels, for the transaction of business, at such times and under such regulation as to the regular holding of such meetings, and the no tice to be given of special meetings, and whether the meetings are of all the managers or of the managers attending particularly to the affairs of either chapel, as to the managers shall seem expedient, and the stated minister or ministers shall, when requested by the managers, attend such meetings, and the stated minister or ministers shall be invited and required to attend at all meetings at which any matter is to be considered, or act done, relating to the spiritual affairs of the chapels in which it is necessary that the stated minister or ministers shall concur; and the acts done by the managers, at any meeting, shall require to be done with the unanimous consent of the managers present at the meeting; and the acts which require the concurrence of the ministers shall require to be done with the consent of the minister or ministers present also. "That the managers shall, at the time of their appointment, be members admitted to, and regularly communicating at, the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, at the chapels, or one of them; and any manager, after his appointment, omitting to communicate thereat for the space of six calendar months, unless prevented by illness or other justifiable cause, in the judgment of the other managers or manager, or being excluded therefrom for just cause as hereinafter mentioned, shall cease to be a manager; and any manager going to reside permanently at a greater distance from London than fifty miles shall cease to be a manager. "That vacancies in the body of managers occasioned by death, resignation, ceasing to communicate, or being excluded therefrom as aforesaid, or going to reside at a greater distance from London than above prescribed, or from their incapacity to act as managers from any other cause, shall be filled up by the surviving or continuing managers or manager. "That the duties of the stated minister or ministers shall be, the general superintendence and ordering (except in the particulars expressly provided for to the contrary) in conjunction with the managers, of the spiritual affairs of the chapel, the celebration of Divine service, and the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, at the chapels; the superintendence, order, and direction of the bands, classes, and schools for religious instruction and education belonging to the chapels; but nevertheless, as regards the schools in conjunction with the committees hereinafter referred to, and in general the performance of all duties at the chapels, which pertain to the office of a minister; and the minister or ministers shall also take upon themselves the duty of admitting, suspending, and excluding of members of the said chapels, with liberty to call in the assistance of the brethren when, and as such minister or ministers shall think fit; but, nevertheless, the stated minister or ministers shall not have power to suspend or exclude any manager from attendance at the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, at the chapels, without the consent of the other managers or manager of the chapels, and of four-fifths in number of the brethren of the chapel to the affairs of which it shall be more particularly the duty of the manager proposed to be excluded to attend, such consent to be signified in writing, and that only for just cause, as for promulgating doctrines contrary to the doctrines herein before referred to, or for immoral conduct. "That the said minister or ministers, and visiting ministers, shall observe the "That the stated minister or ministers same order in the celebration of Divine of the said chapels shall be one or more service, and of the ordinance of the in number, as the managers shall deem Lord's Supper, at the said chapels, as is expedient, and such stated minister or at present observed; subject, nevertheministers shall be resident within the less, to such modifications (if any) from distance of three miles from one of the time to time as the managers and stated said chapels, and every such stated minister or ministers shall deem necesminister shall hold his office for life, but sary or expedient. But so, nevertheless, nevertheless shall be subject to be as that any such modification shall have removed by the managers for just cause a tendency not to check, but rather to as to the preaching or promulgating of advance the belief and profession of the doctrines contrary to the doctrines doctrines herein before referred to. hereinbefore referred to, or for immoral vided always that the Liturgy of the conduct, or for not residing within the Church of England shall be read as prescribed distance of one of the chapels part of the service at Tottenham-court(unless such non-residence shall have road Chapel, in the manner in which it been sanctioned by the managers), or hath hitherto been used to be read. for conduct otherwise prejudicial to the And provided, also, that the reader of well-ordering or interests of the chapels. the Liturgy at Tottenham-court-road Pro Chapel shall assist the stated minister in, stated minister or ministers of the said the celebration of the ordinance of the chapel, for the better directing of their Lord's Supper at that chapel in the judgment in making and giving such manner in which the inferior clergy choice, appointment, and invitation; and assist the superior in the administering in the dismissal of any stated minister, of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper they shall consult the other minister or in the Church of England, or as nearly ministers, if any; and in the dismissal in that manner as the different modes of of any reader at Tottenham-court-road administering the ordinance and sacra- Chapel, or officer officiating at the burialment and other circumstances admit of. ground there, clerk, or sexton, they "That no person shall be appointed by shall consult the stated minister or the managers to any inferior office in the ministers, for the better directing of their said chapels, or either of them, who shall judgment in such dismissal; but so, not at the time of his appointment be a nevertheless, as that they shall not be member admitted to the ordinance of the Lord's Supper at one of the said chapels; and any inferior officer of the said chapels appointed by the managers omitting to attend the ordinance of the Lord's Supper for six calendar months without sufficient cause, or being excluded therefrom (such exclusion having the assent of the manager) shall forfeit his office. "That the managers shall exercise the authorities with which they are invested in supporting the ministers in the discharge of their duties; and the ministers on their parts shall, in all matters in which the managers shall require their advice and assistance, give the same to the best of their abilities for the aiding of the managers in the discharge of their duties. "That the managers and ministers shall, from time to time, inform and make themselves acquainted with the wishings and feelings of the members attending the ordinance of the Lord's Supper and congregation worshipping at the said chapels, for the better directing of their judgment in the due performance and exercise of their respective duties and powers. But so, nevertheless, as that it shall not be necessary or requisite for the managers or ministers, in any case, to call the members or congregation together, to express their opinion upon any point; and so as that the managers or ministers shall not be bound to submit to any resolutions or votes of the members or congregation, or any part thereof, on any matter relating to the affairs of the said chapels contrary to their own judgment. bound to follow the advice they may receive on any such occasion, if, after a due consideration of the case, aud of such advice, the advice ahall be contrary to their own judgment upon the case. "That there shall be, at each of the said chapels, a body of officers called 'Brethren,' not exceeding twelve in number for each chapel, who shall respectively be members admitted to, and regular communicants at, the chapel for which they serve as brethren; and whose duty it shall be, when so required, to assist the managers and stated ministers in the conduct of the affairs of the chapels, and more particularly the managers in receiving collections and subscriptions, and the ministers in regulating the ceremony of the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, conducting the congregational prayer meetings, visiting the sick members, and ascertaining the characters of persons desirous of being admitted to the ordinance of the Lord's Supper at the chapels. That any brother who shall be excluded from the ordinance of the Lord's Supper at the said chapels, or who shall omit to attend at such ordinance for six calendar months, without just cause, to be judged of by the brethren of the chapel to which he belongs, or the major part in number of them, or who shall go to reside permanently at a greater distance from London than twelve miles, or who shall become bankrupt or insolvent, or compound with his creditors, shall cease to be a brother; and any brother may be dismissed from his office by the brethren of the chapel to which he belongs for immoral conduct, pro"That in the choice, appointment, and vided that four-fifths or more in number invitation of stated ministers and visiting of the other brethren belonging to the ministers, the reader atTottenham-court- chapel, after a due investigation of the road Chapel, or officer officiating at the circumstances of the case, shall be of burial-ground there, the clerks and sex-opinion that such brother ought to be ton, the managers shall consult the dismissed; and any brother may be dis |