The Press.
London, England, 1854-04-22 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

that Mr. Liddell is not only not inclined to anything like ex-
travagance in this respect, but has endeavoured to restrain
it in others. I cannot, however, forbear from observing that
our congregations are for the most part too unobservant of
the outward expressions of devotion, and that it may some-
times be desirable that the clergy should set them a good
example in this respect. With respect to the particular
one of bowing the head when the doxology or ascription
of praise is pronounced, I believe it to be a novelty in our
Church, and have more more than once expressed my dis-
approval of it.
"3. I now come to the subject of intoning the service.
It is well known that I do not approve of this mode of
performing divine service in parish churches. I expressed
my dislike of it in my charge of 1842; and all I can say in
its favour is, that I had rather hear the prayers well in-
toned than badly read. But whether I have authority to
forbid it is a different question. [The bishop quotes from
the canons in support of this view.]
"4. With respect to the communion-table, which the
memorial designates ' the high altar,' I have to observe
that you use that term incorrectly. The high altar is the
principal altar in a church where there are more than one,
which is not the case in any of our churches, except in a
few instances where a church is divided into two parts, and
divine service is performed in each. The communion-
table in St. Paul's Church cannot be termed an altar, ex-
cept in a figurative sense of the word. It is not of stone,
but wood ; not fixed, but moveable. When I consecrated
the church, the disputes on this article of church furniture
had not risen to such a pitch as they have since attained,
and the height of the communion-table did not attract my
notice. It is now a part of the goods of the parish; and
although the churchwardens, with my consent and that of
the vestry, might change it or replace it by another, I do
not believe that I have authority to direct them so to do.
If any persons think it to be the duty of the churchwardens
to make such a change, they must proceed against them
by a suit in the Consiatorial Court.
" b. As to the candlesticks on the communion-table, I
have stated my opinion in my charge of 1842, and I am
not prepared to retract that opinion. I had rather not see
them in parish churches, but I am not prepared to order
their removal when they have been placed there for several
years.
" 6. The wooden cross which is fixed upon the com-
munion-table
I consider to be objectionable ; but when,
soon after Mr. Liddell's appointment to St. Paul's, I ex-
pressed a strong wish for its removal, I was assured by
Mr. Sotheron, M.P., then one of the churchwardens, that
such removal would wound the feelings of a great number
of the congregation, and I therefore allowed it to remain
in suspense. As this cross (which is not large and mas-
sive, as you describe it, but small and light) was on the
table when the church was consecrated (though not seen
by me, a large offertory-desk being in front of it ), I am not
satisfied that I have authority to direct its removal without
consent of the churchwardens and parishioners, except by
a formal decree of the Consistorial Court. I certainly wish
it to be removed, and should be glad if the parishioners
would agree to its removal without such authoritative
sanction."

His lordship conclue..s as follows:
" I have now touched upon all the allegations of your
memorial, and I have to observe, in conclusion, that if the
practices complained of are ' offensive to the parishioners
of the district of St. Paul, and bring scandal on the whole
Church,' it is somewhat strange that the parishioners
should have so quietly acquiesced in them for so long a time,
and that I should only now be called upon by one of the
churchwardens to interfere. The best proof that they are
not generally offensive to the parishioners is to be found in
the crowded congregations who attend the services at St.
Paul's, in their devout behaviour there, in the yearly in-
crease of their alms and oblations, and in their readiness
to assist Mr. Liddell in every pious and charitable under-
taking for the good of their poorer neighbours."
On Wednesday the annual election of church
wardens for the district took place at the school-
house in Wilton-place. Mr. Westerton was again
proposed, but his opposition to the incujnbent occa-
sioned the nomination of a rival candidate, and the
election was hotly contested. Ultimately Mr. Wes•
terton was successful, but only by a majority of three
votes, the numbers being 203 to 200. In the evening,
after the result of the poll had been declared, a large
body of the parishioners held a meeting, at which
the reply of the bishop was discussed, and the follow-
ing resolution adopted :

"That the Bishop of London having intimated, in reply to a
remonstrance of Mr. Westerton, a desire to be favoured with an
expression of the wish of the parishioners in certain furniture
and practices of St. Paul's, we, the parishioners in vestry assem-
bled, beg to express a strong desire for the removal of the super-
altar, the credence table, the cross, and the candlesticks, and
hereby authorise the churchwardens to remove the same. We
strongly protest against the practice of the minister to open the
alms•chest, and therefrom to pay choristers and washing expenses,
as tending to bring alms-giving in its only legitimate form into
contempt. We desire also to record our diapproval of the pro-
cession of choristers and clergy, and of the practice of intoning
instead of saying the services, and desire that the churchwardens
will forward a copy of this resolution to the diocesan."

A deputation was appointed to wait upon the bishop
and present a copy of the resolution to him.

THE GENERAL FAST to be held on Wednesday
next was proclaimed on Wednesday by Mr. Beddome,
the sergeant-at-arms, and other civic officers, at the
Royal Exchange. A proclamation from tho Lord
Mayor, requesting the citizens to close their shops
and abstsin from all business on that day, in order
that the fast may be devoutly and reverently observed
by all classes, was also read. The ceremony at-
tracted a large assembly.