The Express.
London, England, 1852-01-23 00:00:00

DIOCESAN SYNODS.

Yesterday an adjourned consultative meeting, on
the subject of diocesan synods, was held at the liaam r-
Nquare Room, The Rev. THOMAS COLLINS, 11. D., of Fun.
ham, Rural Deus, took the chair.

Prayers haring been offered by the Rev. W. POtNII,
The Cli Al It MAN congratulated the advocates ashore.*
synods on the steady progress which the cause was making.
lle was happy to state that since their hot meeting at Derby,
the Bishop of ltipon, who was hi. diocesan, had said that
although he would not promise to attend this meeting him-
self, he was ready to hold synods for all pi act al loirpoo .;
and his lordship had expressed bin opinion that such synods
would be for the good of the church. There was szood
reason to hope that a similar opinion was entertained by
many more of the bishops. So far they had proLtr,ssed
satisfactorily, avid, under God's blessing, he hoped that the
church would soon enjoy the benefit of the diocesan synods.
(dear,

The.CHAIRMAN then called upon the Rev. W. Porno
to read the report of the committee.
The Hon. J. TALBOT moved the first resolution declar-
ing that the meeting desired to repeat its serious and deli-
berate conviction that diocesan synods are necessary for the
well-being of the church and of the spiritual interests with
which it is connected, and to express its earnest and re-
spectful hope that the spiritual overseers of the Ilock of
Christ may speedily pH together such assemblies of the
faithful for the edification of their respective dioceses. It
was hut necessary to look around and see if what was asked
was not just and reasonable. The all-important question
was how should the church system, which was equally im-
portant to all, which might lead to the ultimate salvation
of souls, be conducted and earned out ? The kirk of
Scotland and the free kirk each had synods, and they had
also heard of a synod of Thinks. (Hear.) Why should
then the church of England ho called upon to stand by
with her hands tied behind her? (Hear.) Again, if they
looked to the church across the Atlantic, they found that
shelhad entire freedom of action. Many, if not all, of the late
differences in the church of England night have been
cleared up and explained, hail there been the facility for the
clergy to assemble in synod. And, if only such an end as
this was to be attained, it was rn ample and abundant
cause for the restoration of diocesan synods.
F. H. DICKENSON, Esq., seconded the resolution.
The resolution was put from the chair and carried ucm.
eon.

Lord IXTTELTON rose to second the next resolution.
It there was ono matter more thin another in which he was
interested it was in the revival of diocesan synods, in the
restoration of which the laity, as an integral part of tho
church, were deeply interested. (hear, heir.) Ilis lord-
ship went on to show that the right of meeting in synod
existed now, as it ever had done, in the church ; they had
met only for the purpose of considering the propriety of re-
viving the practice which had got into desuetude. It sou
not for them to dictate to the prelates of the church, but
only to inquire into the necessity, and suggest to them that
the right belonged to them, and that we wished them
to exercise it. Ile did not look fur immediate results from
this movement, but was willing to wait patiently the work-
ing of it; and feeling that they had truth, and justice, and
wisdom on their side, there could he no doubt of ultimate
success. (Hear, hear.) His lordship concluded by moving
a resolution recording the humble judgment of the meeting,
that the spiritual rights ofelsoth clergy and laity demand
that diocesan synods should be collected together from time
to time, to consult with their bishop, in solemn assembly,
as to what is needed (es the benefit of their respective dio-
vises, and that the present !male of diocesan government,
by the sole and unlimited mind of the deicesan, is inconve-
nient and injurious to the church iteeli, inconsistent with
the true principle of episcopal authority, and opposed alike
to scripture precedents and the practice of the primitive
church in the best and earliest ages.
The Rev. Canon TREVOR seconded the resolution,
which was carried unanimously.
Sir WALTER JAMES, Bart., then moved the next re-
solution, declaring that a diocesan synod would be a source
of great help and assistance to • bishop, in suggesting
plans of usefulness, in supplying details of diocesan infor-
mation, in maintaining his uwu rightful authority, and in
supporting by its united co-operation such local and dio-
cesan plans and arrangements as he may deem necessary for
the welfare of his people.
The Hon. and Rev. W. HOWARD seconded the resolu-
tion, which was put from the chair and carried nem. con.
After which,
The Rev. W. SCOTT moved a resolution inviting all
churchmen to unite with them in promoting the revival of
diocesan synods.
The Rev. Mr. GUNNER having seconded the resolution,
it was put and carried unanimously.
A resolution was also passed adjourning the meeting to
Thursday, Apnl 29, to be holden at Glu.uv.ter, with the
power of further adjournment if the committee see cause;
after which a vote of thanks was passed to the chairman,
and the meeting, which lasted upwards of four hours,
broke up.

TESTIMONIAL TO MIDI. COWDEN CLARKIL—A very
elegant and appropriate tribute to the perseverance and de-
votion of this amiable lady, who spent twelve years in
writing our her " Shakspeare Coneirdance," and tour
more in correcting the press, has been got up in New
York by • few American admirers of Shaltapcare.
The testimonial, which hoe been already transmitted
to Mrs. Clarke, con-ists of an clabarately carved
rosewood easy chair. The face of Shakspeare, carved in
ivory, from the Stratford bust, with appropriate encircling
design., ornaments the top rail, and below the seat are
masks of tragedy and comedy. There is a reading-desk of
rosewood and cedar attached, and the design of the choir
and its ornamentation are frentdrawings by Mrs. Ilaboanno.
In the list of subscribers we find the names of tilt' Ron I).
Webster, 11. Longfellow, W. U. Bryant, W. 11. Astor
Washington Irving, &c.
DEATH or SEIDEANT 11EATIL—Yeaterdow at the
sitting of the Bloomsbury County Court, l'ortlmid rail, a
communication wu made to the judge pro tem. C. E. Pol-
lock, Esq., that Mr. Serjcant Heath, faller of the presiding
fudge thereof (Mr. D. 1). Death) had died at his residence
No. 34, Montague-place, Ituseell-estuare, on the previous
afternoon. The deceased having become an admitted mem-
ber of the Inner temple commenced practice in the Court
of Common fleas, from whence he was appointed as the
deputy-judge under Mr. Scrjeant Dubois, deceased, at the
County Court of Middlesex, Kingsgate.street. On the
abolition of that court Mr. Serjesnt Heath's son was in-
stalled as a judge of Bloomsbury Cuuuty Court eon-
junction with Mr. Dubois. The deceased se east died
surrounded by his frien,ls after an illness or oat long dura-
tion in the 7th year of his age.
DEATH Or Ma. G. H. RODWELL, THE COMPOSER.
—Yesterday morning, Mr. Gorge Herbert Itislwell, the
musical composer, expired at his residence in Upper Ebury-
street, Pimlico, after suffering acutely (or some months
from rheumatic gout. Mr. Itsslweli, who was well known
in the musical world for his many sing and billad corniest-
tions, was also a dramatic and literary writs. lie Wl4
author of the extravaganza of "Blue( King 1141," played
with much success at the Priucess'e Theatre, and
" O'Donoghtte," played at Astley's; his literary produc-
tions being "The Memoirs of an Umbrella" and "Old
London-bridge." The deceased gentleman was of • most
amiable disposition, and his decease will bo lamented
by a numerous circle of friends and
NAVAL APPOINTMENTS.—ADMIKALTY, JAN. 22.—
Chief Engineer J. Bell, and Assistant Engineer G. Ord-
fithe and 11. Purchase, to MW7il.lClBlk.. Pursers T. S. Hay-
wood, to Horatio, and U S. Hooper, to Magicienne.