The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1866-12-08 00:00:00

THE BISHOP OF LONDON AND
RITUALISM.

The Bishop of London's quadrennial charge to Lis
clergy (which we regret our limited space precludes
us from giving in full), will be read with the deepest
interest at this juncture by both friends MO enerniee
of the Church. As might be expected, the present
aspect of ritualism is very copiously dealt with. His
lordship says that "matters cannot remain much
longer as they are," and points to legislation as "the
heat means of settling the questions at Wane." "It is
competent to the Church (says Um bishop) to alter it.
ritual or to ex plain anything in it. rules of worship
which is ambiguous ;'• and in matters concerning the
detail of tele services., but do not touch doctrine, he
sees no difficulty in legislation so as to define more
precisely thnfgr two clauses in the Act of Uniformity
respecting the discretionary powers of bishops "to
take order for the gertlement of doubts, and respecting
th ornament, of the Church and the ministers thereof,"
the ambiguity of which has led to so much difficulty
and confusion in the late ritualistic dimensions and
his lordship adds, "my own opinion is clear that
though legislation could not eettl• all difficulties, yet
without any authoritative, esphmaties el these oletres,
pond by Porinnsent and asseptod by Convoention,

we shag- always be liable to mitandentancrusgs
dangerous to the church', peace.
The bishop of course treats upon a great variety of
other snbjecte, each /0. (1) the final judgment of the
Privy Council upon " Eiesys and Reviews," and its
effects as regards the doctrines of "Inepiration."
"Imputed Rigoteoutnese," and "Eternal Punieh-
ment ;" (2) the yearning of hearts in ihe Church more
than formerly for union with other Ctrietian bodice;
(3), the neceasity of earnestneea on the part of the
clergy in their work amongst the poor, and in guiding
and fortifying the rising generation of the middle
anainet the peculiar and subtle temptations and
infidelity which now abound; (4) the work accom-
pliehed during the last three years by his lordehip's
" fund for building churches, echools, &c, ;" (5) the
value of Sunday-echool instruction and proper organi-
sation end training of the teachers ; and finally, 'the
Sisters of Mercy in the Church of Engbend," whoa.
labours be greatly praiees, and who,. greater useful-
nee, will be manifeet when they drop the peculiarities
to which many of "the, excellent women now adhere
somewhat tenaciously."

AR the bishople health prevented the oral delivery
of the charge his lordehip has sent copies to each of hie
clergy.

THE BISHOP OF OXFORD'S CHARGE.
The triennial charge of the Bishop of Oxford was
delivered on Monday at Oxford to a large aesembly
of his clergy. It occupied fully three hours in delivery,
of which the first hour was devoted to the internal
affairs of his lordship's diocese, which appears to be in
a highly flourishing condition, and the remainder to
the conoideration of ritualistic and other Church ques-
tions. His lordship spoke in isondetnnatory terms of
the oonduct of the extreme ritualists, but desired that
weekly communion should be the rule • and recom-
mended his clergy in all mime, when they desired to
make any alterations in the service at their churches,
to confer with their bishop on the subject- Such a
course would be based upon ancient usage, as in former
times each bishop settled the liturgy for his own
diocese.