The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1875-03-23 00:00:00

gond eon* &WM

TUESDAY, MARCH 23, 1875.

NOTES OF THE WEEK.
For the first time during many years, Brid-
port he now engaged in an election contest when
all the conditions indicate a fair field for the
several candidates. There are three gentlemen
a Bridport num who has won a poeitiouttihaanind
wooing the constituency. Sir Charles Wh
honour in London, and Mr. F. Norfolk, a
London actuary, in the Conservative interest ;
and Mr. P. Rani, also of Loldon, a gentleman
of:
tildeeparenidye, nut
umwe,ans
tu, on Liberal principles. It
Itridport remains true to Liberalism, Mr. Ralli
will have an easyg of the issue. If
Conservatives auutivdesaustenfadtiutuhe
halted ;fulblutw,
victory, Particularly if both
local
weight Sir
Sir
Charles inlay possibly be the winner, though it is
, not to be concealed that the Conservatives have a ea e
la very hard battle to fight su f ccess idly.
The Government Bill on th 9 subject of Agri-
cultural Holdings in England came under the
consideration of the Dorcheater Farmers' Club
last Saturday evening, when, although the
measure was for the most part regarded as a
"step in the right direction," many shortcomings
were readily discovered, and i;the very temper-
ate review of its provisions nude by Mr. G. W.
Homer, the conclusion was arrived at that
landlord interests have received paramount
consideration. The Periniasive character of the
measure was opposed by Mr. Damen and Mr.
Howard. The former gentleinan emphatically
condemned the principle. Either the provisions
of the Bill were good or bad; if good let them
apply universally; if bad, they ought not to be
law at all. To allow either landlord or tenant
to put aside the measure by notice, was to
render it inoperative in the very cases where
it is most needed. This is plain speaking, and
we are glad to find the view we expressed last
week endorsed by so experienced a judge in
agricultural affairs as Mr. Damen. Permissive
legislation is a novelty, but novelties in such
matters are prima fiicic worthless, and in this
case it indicates administrative weakness. Mr.
1 Howard objected to the Bill in tot.), as one in
which its benefits would be outweighed by its
disadvantages, and that it would place tenants
in a worse position than they occupy at present
in the great majority of cases. Some of the
elders, while hoping good would come of th 9
Bill, manifested a strong predeliction for 14 '
years' leases, a system which Mr. Homer ampli-
fied to comprise ten years' freedom of cropping
with the remaining four according to a regular
course. This is, no doubt, the preferable system;
and, failing that, the present Bill does not seem
calculated to ensure more, if so much, equity as
has the system of Tenant Right the Illandford
Farmers' Club framed 20 years ago, and which
the late Mr. Sturt, Mr. Floyer, and other landed
proprietors of the county have long adopted.
Thu loosely drawn clauses of the Bill, and the
omissions of profitable acts of husbandry in
tenants' compensation—even so important a
matter as tillages—may prove a delusion to the
farmer who relies on it; while the unlimited
liability it creates for "wasting" the land will
ensnare the confiding, and lead to endless
litigation. Mr. Fowler, a member of the
Central Committee, that has long advocated a
Illelillro of Tenant Right, expressed mild
approval of the Bill; after long experience, he
had come to the conclusion that it was about
the best they could expect from a Parliament
mostly of landlords. But this is "damning
with faint praise," and even the cursory criticism.
the Club were able to bestow on the Bill, for it
is only just printed, shows that unless its pro-
visions are very largely amended the enactment
ot such a measure will not be accepted as one of
the "small mercies" for which Mr. Fowler and
the agricultural body at large are prepared to
be thankful.
The agenda paper for the next Salisbury
Diocesan Synod to be held on April Bth and oth,
has just been issued. It consists of 37 items of
varying importance and interest. The Rev. A.
Codd will propose a "Board on Special
Missions" for" promoting special ministrations
of the church where called for ' in the diocese.
As to the best method of conducting revival
services there is a wide divergence of opinion,
and the uniformity a Board would foster does
not seem desirable, nor would it be generally
acceptable. In such matters the parochial
incumbent seems to us the best judge both as to
mode and management, and in most cases he
would find no difficulty in getting the aid of
willing co-workers. A Board, such as is suggested ,
might weaken individual efforts, besides being
an infringement on that liberty which is the
strength of the parochial system. Two motions
are aimed against the sale of next presentations,
but such bargains are so great a scandal that the
time for mere deprecation is passed. The Earl
Nelson will propose a "Diocesan Spiritual Aid
Board" as Chairman of thecommittee on Church
accommodation ; but, knowing his views on this
subject from his connect with the ails-called
Free and Open Church movement, we distrust
him n altogether, as one who would revolutionise
the existing parochial system, which has the
sanction of long use and the approval of wide
bsporience. The Rev. Dr. Harding ha, a motion
for the practical recogniti of the London
Society for Promoting Christianity amongst the
Jews. "Letters of commendation" foreinigmnts
will be suggested by the Rev. C. F. Hyde. Earl
Nelson proposes another new organisation—that
of Lay agency, "under episcopal direction."
But has not a partial trial of this failed in the
diocese I and what can be better than the present
organisation of Sunday School Teachers and
District Visitors I They are not under
"episcopal direction" it is true ; and for
our part we think them better without it. We
do not want any inure Deaconesses after the in-
stitution of the "Lady Superior" at Salisbury,
and believe that the present unpretentious way
in which teachers and visitors do their work
under the guidance of the parochial clergy simply
amid solely as Christian men and women, is an
infinitely better and more wholesome system. In
the matter of fees the Rev. A. Codd wants vested
rights to be respected, and Archdeacon Lear will
endeavour to get the Agricultural Children's
Act enforced. Of course the rubrics come in for
a good share of attention. Earl Nelson leads
with a motion that it is inexpedient to restrict
any liberty now allowed ; Mr. R. M. Wilson
proposes a declaration that the surplice and
academical hood are sufficient vestments ; the
Rev. It. M. Chatfield gravely proposes "that
this Synod dues not regard a distiuctive Euchar-
istic Vestment, as worn by the minister, essential
to the validity of the Sacrament, or universally
enjoined by the Church," and would amend the
ornaments rubric in that sense: the Rev. R.
Harkness deprecates any legal sanction to a dis-
tinctive vestment in the administration of the
Lord's Supper : and the Rev. Dr. Harding offers
a motion condemning tki eastward position.
Mr. Raikes wants a commiltee to counteract the
designs of the Liberation Society; the Rev. C.
F. Hyde asks for a triennial Diocesan Clerical
Synod, and the Rev. Dr. Harding has a motion
the last but one--" That this Synod
recognises the desirableness of shortening the
present Sunday- morning service." We have
indicated the chief na-Aione on the agenda
paper; and who impartially examining them
can hope for any real good to arise out of their
discussion 1 Propositions for new Boards to
reduce the whole Diocese to dull uniformity
under episcopal direction, aid the airing of
crotchets of inttnitesimal imiortance are the
prevailing characteristics cJ the proposals made.
If we found the Synod quickening the spiritual
life of the Diocese, increasing Christian charity
to fellow-v. °slurs, and timing to a larger
-if estatiou of religion in common life, we
' -a its work with thaw/Ones' ; but, so
-.4liing and the promotion of
-4iona that emasculate the,
-^4.4,thetti have been
' t....erksioiruu of
• - wort&

course.

farmer

Cei

should 1...

far, stileniii
ecclesiastical orgaiiis..
. .

principles of all who belou,„
its chief issues. The practical
the age receives no amelioration front tit..
of the Synod, and we hear nothing of its force
being employed to decla.-e mote emphatically
and earnestly that message of Redeeming Love
which, whether preached by the Apostle Paul,
or by Mr. Moody, or by any other devout
Christian, will sanctify the heart tnd renew the
life of all who accept it. This is the great
mission of the Church ; and if the Synod is in
any way to c. tand respect it can only be by
devoting itself with fervenr to prouoting this
work of evangelisation.