The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-08-07 00:00:00

-THE

tAftrPooi :7ztatibarb.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1855

MORE BISHOPS.

Tifs popular ideas of a Bishop are very diverse :
people look at the office through such different
media, that the distortion caused by the refraction is
as remarkable as it is curious. The different Ministers
of the day seem each to have their own private
opinion as to the purpose of this office. One thinks it
a place to reward a scholar for his learning ; so it was
some years ago the fashion to promote schoolmasters
and heads of colleges to the Episcopate. Another
considers latitudinarian views the great desideratum.
Sir JAMES GRAHAM'S idea was singularly simple : the
Bishop was a man who was to confer orders, and to
confirm at stated periodical times, spend a few months
in London during the Parliamentary session, and then
live in dignified ease at his palace for the rest of the
year. Politibians in the lower house also had their
opinions :—Radicals dreaded a fresh introduction to
the House of Lords, as likely to be a hindrance to
their plans of civil and religious reform ; political
Dissenters trembled at the extension of the influence
which the Church would gain at every erection of a
new See ; while earnest and enlightened Churchmen
looked simply at the fact, that every new Bishop
would be an instrument in carrying out the great
charge of the Great Head of the Church—of extending.
His kingdom among men. With so many opponents
in high places, and so few real earnest friends, it is no
wonder that the increase of the Episcopate in an
adequate measure is yet to be accomplished. Yet we
hare no hesitation in saying, that a strong, firm,
united demonstration on the part of Churchmen
would accomplish much. It was owing chiefly
to the determinate opposition of the late Lord Powis
that the Welsh See of Bangor was saved, when
Manchester was created ; and to the like deter-
mination, on the part of the inhabitants of the Isle of
Man, that that Bishopric was not made a mere
apanage to St. Asaph. We believe the time is
come for a united effort to effect an increase of
Bishops. A great and marked change has taken place
in public opinion ; the true idea of a Bishop is forcing
itself even on the hard and impenetrable brain of the
politician; it only wants the largely and firmly ex-
pressed opinion of Churchmen, lay and clerical, to
gain the point. The opportunity is given by the pub-
lication of the last report of the Cathedral commis-
sion. That commission calmly, but boldly, proclaims
the want, and suggests the remedy. Means are already
taken to carry out a part of its suggestions in the
erection of four new Sees, where the want is most
glaring, and the means the most ready at hand.
Abbey Churches exist at Westminster, St. Alban's,
Southwell ; a fine Church, with an endowment for a
Bishopric, at St. Columb Major, in Cornwall ; and
here it is proposed to erect the additional Bishoprics.
Now this may do very well for an instalment, but it
will neither satisfy the Churchman, nor supply the
wants of the Church. What is wanted are local
efforts ; Churchmen uniting in our large towns,
drawing up plans for obtaining subscriptions towards
the endowment of a -.Bishopric. It was local efforts
that saved to Wales her four sees ; it was local efforts
that preserved to the Isle of Man its ancient rights ;
and local efforts, properly directed, will secure an
increase of Bishops throughout the length and breadth
of the land. Let us explain what we want in a
Bishop, and why we want him. We do not want him
for political power ; we are quite indifferent about his
having a seat h the Ilu.t of Lords. We want a
Bishop to be the head of the Church in the town—to
take part in every good work that is there—to head
us in Church extension and education. We want him
to be there when his clergy, yes, and laymen too, need
advice and support : not to be so overwhelmed with
business that his clergy have scarcely access to him,
nor he time to answer their letters ; but one who is
fully'acquainted with both the persons of the clergy,
and the state of their respective parishes. People do
not know the value of a Bishop,because he is necessa-
rily so far from them ; they cannot understand what
good there would be for more, because they are cut off
from the proper intercourse with the few that we
have ; give us more, and we shall learn to understand
the benefit. All we ask the Legislature for is a per-
missive act, to enable HER MAJESTY to erect a
Bishopric whenever the inhabitants of any town or
county desire it, and when proper funds are provided,
either by local efforts, or by the Ecclesiastical Com-
missioners, or both, We are sure that immense
resultS would follow such an act, for a very great
change has taken place in public opinion on this
particular point. Men are beginning to understand
what is wanted ; they perceive that the Clergy are not
seeking for secular power, or political influence, but are
only earnestly endeavouring to educate and civilize the
people under their charge ; that they believe one of
the greatest means to this end would be an
increase in the Episcopate, a subdivision of the
vast labour that now lies upon one man's shoul-
ders. The most remarkable proof of what we
are affirming is found in one place where a
local effort was made, viz., Newcastle-upon-Tyne. We
happened to be very well acquainted with this place
some twenty-five years ago ; we were there during
the excitement of the Reform Bill, and in few places
.did that excitement wear so dangerous and revolution-
ary an appearance as it did there. A considerable
number of the leaders of the movement were avowed
infidels, most indifferent to religion, all hostile to the
Church. Now, some of those very persons are they
who have come forward to advocate the establishment
of a Bishop's See at Newcastle. They have found out
by long experience the civilizing, humanizing influence
- of the Church upon the people ; and, perhaps, going
no further than this present life, they wish that they
may partake of that benefit. A few more openly-
expressed wishes in other large and influential towns,
and the cause would be gained. Why is Liver-
pool not stirring P The Commission Report, indeed,
states, that "local efforts might be expected at Liver-
pool." Why are they not begun P Where are our
Rectors ? Where our wealthy merchants ? There are
many who would hail with delight the thought of a
" Bishop of Liverpool." Why do they not stir ? Surely
the second commercial town in England is worthy of
that honour, and surely it can afford the means. Let us
have a public meeting, a committee, an organisation.
It is a matter in wlfich men of all parties can join and
co-operate—a point in itself sufficiently valuable to
claim attention.

gr. HELENS IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

5531--In your paper of Tuesday last an article appeared,
giving a report of the Proceedings of the St. Helens Improve-
ment Commissioners, when baths for the people and other
sanitary improvements formed the principal topic, although
the former had previously been considered, and it is to be
hoped will ultimately be accomplished, the movement, being
popular, would ensure its success, as such a boon would be
gratefully hailed by our working population. It is also gra-
tifying to know that the new commissioners are already
showing a praiseworthy zeal for promoting the public good,
as, on Friday last, six members of the Water Committee, con-
sequent on the surveyor's report, undertook the laborious task
of visiting the new and old water-works, also the gathering
ground in the of Knowsley Park. The gentle-
men who visited the works were Mr. John Marsh, the
chairman; Mr. Richard Penketh, chairman of the 'Water
co'ttee ;
Mr. Richard Yates, chairman of the Finance
Committee 31r.-Will.Thine interest these
Mr. A. R. Arratt, and
gentlemen are taking
Mr. W. 11. Balmain.
be expec e when such men sacrifice
in the welfare of the town cannot
abeesetoo highly appreciated.
Important results may
their time and abilities for the public good. z
St. Helens, August 4,1855.

Tag tomb of a Phenician king has just been discovered at
Beyrout. The sarcophagus, of black marble, bears a very
long and curious description in Hebrew.