The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1874-10-13 00:00:00

NOT'ES OF THE WEEK.

The various parishes of the diocese of Salisbury
are invited by the Bishop to elect lay represen-
tatives, who will afterwards chose synodsmen,
preparatory to the first meeting of the Triennial
Assembly at Salisbury. These electionsnaturally
suggest for inquiry—let, what is the value of
the Synod; and, 2nd, who are the best persons
to represent the laity of the diocese at Its
meetings. For several years sessions of two or
three days' duration have been held, and there
has been much talking and show of work; but,
if we inquire for results, what shall we find
It is true the resolutions of the Synod have no
legal force, but are simply permissive in their
operation; although the lack of direct power is
made up, as far as may be, by the suasion of
numbers and the force of fashion. Yet, after
all, what hastheSynoddonel Made one or two
t additions to the roll of official Diocesan Societies
' and generally emasculated the principles of all
who have been associated with it. Religious
life is of all things an individual growth and
manifestation, and centralization, reducing
parson and parson, parish and parish, to dull
uniformity, has necessarily an enervating
influence upon all within its range. And thus
' we see clergymen who were wont to be leaders
of thought and embodiments of living faith in
, their districts, losing all useful influence, because
they no longer act out the old principles in which
they believed, but have adopted the non-
; descript faith prescribed by the Synod coin-
pounded of Evangelicalism and Sacerdotalism
. intermixed with mis-called Charity. The Evan-
gelical clergy of the diocese were at one time
vigorous and jiowerful : the demonstration
against the notorious charge of the late Bishop
Hamilton was notable well-doing, which stirred
the whole country; but where are they now
• The majority of them are no more found teach-
ing uncompromising Protestantism, or in
I association with their old allies, but they may
I occasionally be seen " assisting " at choral
! festivals, walking in procession with singing
imen and singing boys headed bjr a gilded
cross ; as if such puerilities were worthy of
, their high vocation. Sturdy faith and
, seemly practice have given place to ecclesi-
astical millinery and symbolical geegaws, and
their chief efforts are directed, not to the up-
holding of Protestantism and its faithful preach-
ers, but to apologising for the vagaries and
assumptions of the Sacerdotal party. On the
levelling-up tendency of the Synod we largely
charge this defection of the once Evangelical
clergy. But another session of the Synod is
about to be holden, and it is practical question
for such parishes as like to take part in it, who
will be its best representatives. In many cases
we believe the Churchwardens have been chosen.
As closely connected with the Church, they
would seem to be at first sight the most fitting
persons to select, but further consideration will,
we believe, lead to the conclusion that they are I
generally so intimately associated with the
clergy as to be unfitted fully to represent the
laity of our various parishes If the Synod is
really to represent the mind of the laity of the
diocese, those selected should be men of earnest
piety, conversant with the various questions
affecting the Church, ready to discriminate
between sophistry and reason, and bold to speak
freely and firmly on the questions discussed,
It may be difficult to secure the services of such
men, but it is important to avoid electing mere
official representatives; aim high, and, above
all, get independent, religiously-minded, and
zealous members. Then, if no good is done,
harm may be averted, and there will not be •
I cry of "Peace, peace, when there is no peace."
I His heart was in it—there was the secret."
So said Mr. Floyer, when addressing the pupils
I of the Dorchester School of Art, in accounting
for the distinction attained by Dean Alford as a
painter during a busy life in other departments
of work; and the illustration is of so much
practical important* that we take the opportu.
nity its expression affords heartily to commend
it to all our readers, and especially those who
are just entering upon the responsible engage-
ments of life. There is no royal road to learn-
ing, although it is an easier and pleasanter path
I than twenty years ago; and there is no royal
road to success in business, for with increasing
years it seems the more beset with dangers.
But honest work and resolute perseverance are
the surest means to achieve success now as they
ever have been—putting the heart in it; not
languidly fulfilling a task because it must be done,
but setting about it with cheerfulness and
alacrity, and • determination to strive our vary
I best. We have the highest authority for earnest
working—" Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do
' do it with thy might;" the cherishing of such
a spirit sweetens labour, sad is an attractive
phase of the Christianity of common life. The
artisan class at the School of Art has never yet
been so popular as it deserves to be, and we trust
that the prominence given to it by Mr. Floyer
in his presidential address will have the effect
of directing parents of boys to its advantages,
and lead to a large secession of pupils.

Her Majesty remains at Balmoral, and the stay of
the Court is likely to extend Over the next live weeks.
' The Princess of Wales continues at Copenhagen, but
the Prince has returned. Her Royal Highuses,
however, will be back in order to accompany the
Prince in the early pert of November to Birmingham,
whose Town Councillors have made themselves notorious
by refusing to be unanimous in ordering suitable ore-
rsidons for the reception of their Royal Highnesses.
The Duke of Edinburgh has been at Plymouth' where
he laid the memorial stone of the Royal British
Female Orphan Asylum. The Duchess did not
accompany her husband, for the reason that the
interesting event is now very near which the Times
predicted, prematurely, six months ago. The Empress
of Russia is coming over to be present at her daughter's
confinement, which is arranged to take place at
Eastwell.park, near Ashford, Kent.
Lord Walter Campbell, brother of the Marquis of
Lorne, and consequently brother-is-law of the Princess
Louise, has just been admitted a member of the Stock
Exchange. It is rather • curious lam that while
Royalty has in the C4lO of the Argyll family departed
from all precedent in this country, the noble Duke
should also have departed from what we may call
ducal precedents by placing two of his sons in trade.
Lord Walter Campbell was placed in • tea-house,
becoming, we believe. a; partner in a firm of tea-
merchants, and another son similarly devote-1 his
energies to the wine trade.
The Lord Chief .lusticeof England cannot be accused
of not providing for his own kith and kin. He bas
just given to his cousin the post of Queen's Coroner,
after the latter had successively received at the hand/ of
his noble and influential relative the positions id Master
of the Crown Court and Chief Clerk of the Queen's
Bench. Mr. Frederick Cockburn is indeed a fortunate
individual The office of Queen's Coroner and Attorney,
which be has just had given to him, is worth £1.200 a
year, and the duties are merely nominal. The Mader
of the Crown Office or Crown Court has also a salary
of the same amount, and the Chief Clerk has £6OO a
year; together 0,000 a year. Sir Alexander Cockburn,
however, may plead the authority of Sacred Writ
slightly perverted—" he that provides not for hisown
bath denied the faith, and is worm than an infideL"
There I. nothing like making the best of any ritua-
tion, and Mr. Trevelyan, M.P., certainly made the
best of the cold shade of opposition on Friday when
he expatiated to his constituents upon the necessity of
leisure and rest for public men. Half the mistakes of
statesmen, he said, were caused by overwork and
worry, and he considered it • good thing that a man
like Mr. Gladstone should be able now and then to
turn from his despatch-boxes to his book-shelve.; to
recei%e friends in his country-house, Instead of deputa-
tions in Downing-street ; to travel by rail without
making a speech at every junction'
, and to do his duty
in Parliament without dWn— g till the summer morning