The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1856-02-19 00:00:00

CHURCH PASTORAL-AID SOCIETY'•

THE sixteenth annual meeting of the Church Past°l3l
°
Society was held last night in the Lecture-hall of the nAegis
cbair
Institution. The meeting was well attended; and the
was occupied by the Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Ches-
ter;
and on the platform were the following gentlemen :—Ve°.
S'
Archdeacon Jones ; Rev. Dr. Taylor ; Revs. E. Auriol, o,
Bull, J. H. Titcomb, W. Pollock, T. C. Cowan, C. W
,7at,
rence, W. H. Wright, J. Herbert, H. Marlen, J. Mac13,2"„0,
F. Roberts, T. L. Paine, J. Pownall, D. Leveson, J. R•_"rp,
J. Twist, J. Bardsley, W. Maynard, C. Britton, C. 0,01.,;,,"
.Willinck, Denny, E. Titterton, S. P. Boutflower,
T. Smith, G. Reed, R. H. Brown, R. Wolseley, H> F,
I.
V; Sheldon ; Messrs. Edward Cropper, Adam Hodgson,
Dixon, J. K. Rounthwaite, W. Jones, J. H. Webster, "'
Jeffry, A, Stearns, G. Beley, Sillito, W. Gregson,
After prayer by the Rev. Cowan,
a once
The CHAIRMAN, on opening the meeting, said he ha- be
again the pleasure of expressing the satisfaction he felt, as
et
always did, in attending any meeting in Liverpool, °
to forward the objects of this or any similar society „1,
gaged in the pursuit of, religious knowledge, and imparts
that knowledge to others who stood in need of it.
meeting was honoured with the presence of a dePatagr,
from the parent society, consisting of the Rev. dr,
Auriol, of St. Dunstan's, in London ' • of the Rev-
Bull, of St. Thomas's, Birmingham ; and also of the Reef' be
Titcomb, of Cambridge. In presence of this deputation
felt much happiness in saying, what he had often said hef°,.;
that in Liverpool the clergy are zealously disposed to bet
work of their ministry ; and that the town is deserving of ID,
countenance and aid of the society. With a comparat'v'ts
small number of the clergy, when looked at with relation
the work they have to do ; this must be obvious at 004
Not that they are altogether without help : we have, it is °lite
our curates, our Scripture-readers, and our additional Colt;
Society. Oar assistance from the Pastoral-Aid is also grea,t
and although we may get more from it than we give, it otig;
to be borne in mind that the religious wants of this porall°l
and religiously poor, though commercially rich, comnitilor
are very great. He could not say whether it was £7'44
£BOO which we get annually from the Pastoral-Aid Sotl
more than we give : but he hoped the people of LivelT7i.
were sound enough at heart to render this society a self-sur
porting institution here, and to wipe off the pecuniary obg
tion we are under to that society. He concluded by 0.1.171
on the Rev. J. C. Cowan to read the report, which was as '
lows :
The committee of the Liverpool Auxiliary to the Church peti
toral-Aid Society have the pleasure of announcing in their
report, that some progress had been made since their last sewor
versary. The local grants, now in operation, are for 19 cnrl„7o
and 10 Scripture readers, at a yearly charge of £2,315 ; while
returns, including some accounts receiv, d too late for remittent'
have amounted to 21,552, the largest sum ever raised 14
tjp
Liverpool association. In addition to the 25 branches already,‘,
existence, a new one has lately been formed at St. MattbeWeit
To Veth ; and the great importance of these branches is W.,;,
shown by the fact,—that while the collections of our last OD"
versary fell short by2B6 of their former amount, the branch ssei).,,e;
ciations not only made up the deficiency, but added 2100 beal",o,
to the yearly income. The committee, therefore, would e,gi'be
estly press on the attention of their friends in general, and 51
clergy in particular, that there are few ways in which more re,
lasting service can be done to the Pastoral-Aid cause Tbe
by the formation and active working of a branch association.
funds of the parent society are likely to show a considerable d'' of
nution. They were 21,2,0 below the usual amount at the end
January, and it is altogether uncertain whether this decrease
be made up before the 31st March, the close of the financial Yel4,
The society's grants maintain 346 curates and 146 lay assistants
to aid in the pastoral care of nearly 2,900,0n0 souls • and there site
besides on their books 52 applicationsfor aid, which he failing sts
of their income will not allow them to meet. It is much to be de
plored that the town of Liverpool should still receive more th se
the returns by at least 2500. That this deficiency does not arts
from any want of interest among the clergy the 34 churches °6
our anniversary list sufficiently prove ; and that the middle cise'di
and the poor contribute their part is shown by our large chor4
collections, by the number of small subscriptions and by the s",
smaller sums gathered in collecting boxes. Of these last it leei,
be observed in passing that St. Simon's church alone issued
But when we find that out of the 854 subscriptions or donatiol!,
in the last report only 13 were of 25 and upwards, it is plain
ie
the Pastoral-Aid cause has hitherto received comparatively lit
assistance from the rich. The committee, therefore, the 01
gratefully acknowledge two donations from old friends of ,",,e
society—one of 250 from Mr. I. Irven, and one of 220 from "1:0
S. Martin ; and in the belief that many more would send
similar contributions if the subject were properly brought before
them, them, they are endeavouring to secure the services of an ei.,„,r
rienced collector, and to try the effect of direct personal aplov-,;
tions. It has been found desirable also to make a change o'l
the time when our association accounts should close. For nit
reasons it will be far more convenient that they should be 038
up to the 31st of December instead of to the 31st of March.

Mr. W. GESGSON, in moving the first resolution, said, fr°„
extensive personal knowledge of the society and its workir3l'i
he had much pleasure in appearing in the double capacity
an advocate and witness. This he did from having acted da
member of the London committee for twelve years, and fr°„,l3le
having been also a member of the Liverpool committee. le
working of this society did not interfere in any way with t
arrangements of what may be termed the disputed points, bdo
takes our church polity as it stands, contributing only
carrying out that. In the working of this society, the 111,
are visited, the sick are cared for, and the dying comfort C''
The agency of this society is extended to the great number ef
426 curates, who are daily engaged in the great work
Christian teaching. Now for Liverpool, let us see what it .„e
done. We have 19 curates and 10 Scripture-readers stipportc:
by the. society. To maintain this number, we have to reeeicy
£5OO more than we pay. This, as his lordship properly lei
marked, was a state of things which should be wiped off, an
he sincerely trusted that the •true spirit of Liverpool would be
stirred up to such an extent as to enable her to become, in j
practical respects, a self-supporting institution. (Cheers.) tierl
conclusion, he moved that the report be adopted and print
and circulated, and that a committee be appointed with pot"'
to add to their numbers.
The Rev. EDWARD Annie', seconded the resolution, OA
in doing so complimented Mr. Gregson on the benefit he had
conferred on the society, in his capacity of member of Or,
general committee. It had been said by the right reveres'
chairman that Liverpool received more than it contributed;
but the society never felt that more had been done for it the
the case required. True, the members of the committee, as
individuals, did occasionally remark that Liverpool being toed
second city of the empire, as regards wealth, commerce,
population, it was not more than might have been expect
to find she should contribute more liberally towards
operation of this society. Still there never was a murmur asf o
to the impropriety of complying with the urgent wants t•
Liverpool. The last speaker had reminded the meeting °
the extent of the difference betwen what Liverpool contributef
and what she receives ; and by a note he had from the set;
retary, he was reminded that Liverpool receives yearly g 2,320
while she only contributes £1,656. Of this discrepancy tbe
society made no complaint, certain as the committee welj
that the large contributions expended here were much need
and judiciously employed. Still he might be permitted till
remark,' that where many of the applications for aid, which
could not be complied with from want of funds, were of the
most urgent nature, it.could not be doubted that so rich a
community as Liverpool, if it could be made to contribute
more nearly in accordance with what she 'receives, the societ./
would be enabled to comply with the request of places
which aid is earnestly solicited and greatly required. It ha
been found that the extension of the operations of the
Pastoral Aid Society had been peculiarly useful in large
and populous towns, in evidence of which, be
might adduce many of the worst districts of Load!"
and, in illustration, be stated several cases in which part
who had been professed atheists and habitual drunkards, had
been reclaimed from their evil courses through the agency
the curates and Scripture readers of the society. 'Where thd'
bad been effected in London, what reason could be shown Pc?
believing that similaegood might not be done in Liverpool
(Hear, hear.) He trusted that every endeavour would b:,
made to raise the funds of the society, so as to enable it t
continue and extend its usefulness.

A 'hymn was here sung, and the collection made.
The Rev. J. H. TITCOMB moved the second resolution,!
the effect that pastoral, clerical, end lay agency is of tul
utmost importance in uprooting the deepest of social evils, at
consequently that this society is deserving of extended no.f;
lic countenance and support. In advocating the claims of tb
society, he remarked that clerical pastoral work is veil
unequally divided in a country so circumstanced as Englao°'
To understand this, he said it was well to consider how th
clergy were divided among the different parishes in Engle's(
and Wales. By doing this, it would be seen that in some
_A°
the rural districts the clergy was in an ample degree suppli'v,
to the wants of the population. In some of the districts
have one clergyman to every 371, and in others only one "
2,925. It may be said the clergy are annually on the itr
crease. This is in some degree true, and on last yea
return there is an increase of 200 in England 0131
Wales; but contrast that with the great increase °,,
the population, to meet which it would require a new ehureP
to be built every three weeks. To overcome the difficult/ e 5
created by this, the Pastoral-Aid Society is the most use')
instrument, as its efforts are directed to the most populo
and worst supplied districts. The best of 'all these' worlis'
however, are but those of the day of small works. Mal
things occur to appal us as to the actual state of spirita
ignorance and destitution, even among those who have all il►!
privileges of religious teaching. The operations of this societl
are peculiarly suited to act upon the working classes, by shoo";
ing them that while we address the cultivated members °'
society, we are equally willing and equally desirous of bring'
ing the glad tidings of the Gospel to the doors of the hurabloef
and the ignorant. The Pastoral-Aid Society gives a grant
twenty curates to the town of Liverpool. If they could be
ranged in front of the platform they would in their silence
speak more eloquently than words could do on behalf of 00
society. (Cheers.)
The Rev. G. S. BULL, in seconding the resolution, 53°
he hoped the clerical pastoral aid would be much and earnestil
assisted by the lay element of the Church ministry. Wherever
God put the light of the Christian Church, he meant it t°
illumine the world. In the large parish over whichhewrye
placed, containing a population of 30,000 souls, it would
impossible to approximate to anything like a Christian minis'
tration without the aid of every Christian man and woinali'
How well soever this society may assist in affording religioa!
instruction, still it cannot be otherwise than true, thev
the government of a Christian country should provide
for the Christian teaching of the people. (Hear, heart
and cheers.) The Church also had much reason to ljg
stir herself, and if she would do her duty fully, little doo""
can be entertained that lay assistance would be plentiful
afforded. (Cheers.) In reference to the benefits of lay assist'
ante, he was prepared to say it was not only useful, but i°
such cases as the parish in which he had to labour it was 3ir
solutely indispensable.- In conclusion, he conjured the auw;
ence to value the Pastoral Aid Society, and to lend the'
assistance and their prayers for its advancement.
A vote of thanks to the Bishop for his kindness in corn 13
to preside on this occasion concluded the business, and tile
meeting.

,
(1'
ACCIDENT IN WATER-STREET.—Thomas Ashcroft, res-„,
iug in No. 9 Court, Gascoyne-street, who was injured
employed in taking down the old buildings in Water.stri7L,
on the 9th instant, died on Sunday forenoon, from the injor'
he had sustained. An inquest will be held on his body to'
day (Tuesday.)
THE TOWN. DUES.—A requisition to the Mayor, calling °,13
him to convene a town meeting to protest against the govethw;
ment measure for confiscating the town-dues, and also ::"$
petitioning parliament against the passing of the measure, 10'
been numerously signed by the bankers, merchants, and (Abet,
traders of Liverpool. It is to be presented to his WorshiP
the Town-hall, this day, at half-past twelve o'clock.
SIMPSON'S CRIMEAN SKETCHES.—A series of drawi3o'
made .by. Mr. William Simpson, of the remarkable sceo'','
incidents, and localities which have recently he
become forn°,
he
through the gallant exploits of our brave soldiers in the
Crimea, is now on private view at Mr. Grundy's gallery',
Church-street. They are remarkable for the fidelity of draw,
ing and artistic skill which they exhibit, and are well ivortk,
of a careful inspection.

d F 1

Inigt

_-----
TIT.

on, sal
arnesw
rherever
nt it V/
he was
'mild be
n minis'
!eligious,
us, thst
provide
r, hear'
.to be
Le doubt
mtifuld
Y assist'
1, but ill
was ab,
he ow"
their

conid
and w"

resi.c?
—lO
ed wo't
vstrq;
injurote
)odY 4

Llling c)/3
n•ovell;
lso
tifo
lure, --
ad otbe t
,rshiP

avving6'
scenl;
fawn.-
in tite
Iterf, 1--
n
)f &Or
worto