The Express.
London, England, 1851-06-13 00:00:00

LAY PROTESTS AGAINST THE EXETER

SYNOD.

EXETER, eitNE 12th.
As the time for the bishop's synod approaches, the
feeling of the laity becomes more manifested. Meetings
have been held in the various parishes of the city of Exeter
and in other parts of the country to mark the clisappruba •
tion of the laity of a step which they regard as aggressive on
their rights. l'he parish of St. Stephens met un Monday,
Mr. Churchwarden Bowden in the chair, and adopted the
following resolutions:—
" Thai this meeting, believing that the proposed synod
will result in injury to the established church, and
be productive generally of that disunion in other parishes
which so unhappily prevails in this; and believing
also that an equal spirit of strife against the autho-
rity of our beloved Queen has prevailed in such an
unusual course as the calling a synod by the bishop of the
diocese, views the proposed synod with much alarm and'
great distrust. First—They feel much alarm from the op-
premien which may be attempted to be enforced upon the
principles and consciences of the laity, and also upon those I
of the clergy who do not happen to hold the opinions of the
diocesan. Second. They feel great distrust front the
well-known views of those who are willing to take part in
it; and who are distinguished in their order for their un-
compromising hostility to all who du not agree with their
intolerant and peculiar religious opinions. For these rea-
sons this meeting is opposed to, and dues protest against,
this synod, and most urgently calls upon all members of the
reformed church of England to unite as one man in de-
fence of our beloved church, and to do their utmost endea-
vours to prevent the unseemly dictation so prevalent by the
enemy within our own walls."
The parish of St. Mary Arches met yesterday, Mr. J. J.
White in the chair. Mr. J. C. Wilcocka and Mr. Tombs,
two of the most influential parishioners, moved and se-
conded a resolution strongly condemnatory of the bishop's
proceedings, and which was carried unanimously. The
parish of Holy Trinity met this morning, convened by War-
den Higgins, when resolutions of a similar spirit were una-
nimously adopted. The principal speakers were Mr. Mark
Kennaway, Mr. E. P. Pridham and Mr. Agassia.
A meeting of the inhabitants of the Newton Abbot
district was held on Friday last at the Town-hall, for the
purpose of protesting against the proposed synod of the
Bishop of Exeter. the meeting was not so fully attended
as was anticipated. Among those present were G.L. Curtis,
Esq. (chairman), W. Creed, Esq., J. Toogood Coward,
Esq., Dr. Barham, Leslie, Esq., &c.—Mr W. Creed
said he had much pleasure in acceding to the request of the
chairman, and would submit to the meeting a resolution, or
rather a series of resolutions foradoption. Ile did not feel it
neeessary to preface these resolutions with any remarks as the
subject matter was contained in the requisition, and they were
well aware of the purpose for which they were met—it was to
protest against the dangerous proceedings on the part of the
Bishop of Exeter. He was convinced that this measure
would be the putting in of the small end of the wedge, and
if they allowed the bishop to proceed, it would be a must
dangerous precedent, and ultimately prove dangerous to
the civil and religious liberties of the country. (Cheers.)
He could not forget that a few months since they met to
protest against the aggression of a catholic priest, and the
aggression which they were met to protest against that day
was of equal moment. (Cheers.) They bad been told by a
high authority, the Attorney General, that the proposed
synod would not be illegal, because the bishop was going to
do nothing; but they knew more of the Bishop of Exeter
than the Attorney General did, and all ho (Mr. Creed)
could say was, that it would be very unlike Dr. Philpotts
to convene his clergy for the purpose of doing nothing.
(" Hear, hear," and cheers.) Moreover, they had great
cause of jealousy against Dr. Philpotts ; and if his past
character was to be an earnest of his future course of pro-
ceeding, his procrastinating measures would not be for the
benefit of the public. The measures which he had been so
long urging in this diocese, supported by such a party as
they were, would prove most detrimental to the established
religion of the country. They had not forgotten the stir he
had made about the surplice question, thereby putting his
diocese in a blase, as if the whole of their religion consisted
in the wearing of a garment. He should not have alluded
to this, but to show that the Bishop of Exeter, regardless of
all Scriptural authority, insisted on the adoption of his own
dogmas. In his perusal of the Scripture, he could see no
more authority fur the black and white garment of the tree
tarian, than for the red stockings of Cardinal Wiseman, laid
down as a rule ; the views entertained by them were in ac-
cordance with truth and the canons of their church.
(Hear, hear.) This was the law of the land, but the Bishop
of Exeter, with a pertinacity peculiar to himself, thought
fit to oppose it, and the whole gist of the Synod was to
get the clergy to pledge themselves on a question in
which ho had been floored in every court in the
kingdom. But was the Bishop of Exeter to be taken as
the rule to which protestants were to look ? Was the
party who backed him to be considered the rule to which
they were to look ?—(A voice—" Certainly not.') And did
not everything that they did show that they were not un-
testants, but papists? Did not everything they did show
that they were identical; and bow easy it was to slide from
one church into another ? (Cheers.) It was very different
I from the church which our glorious forefathers procured
fur them, and which he hoped they should long live to
enjoy. becni.) He catne there that day to proclaim
against t e whole party, and hoped the time would come
when they should not only have the name of the protestant
church, but when they should be protestants in heart. The
Chairman then read the resolutions, which were unani-
mously adopted. In several parishes of the City of Exeter
meetings have also been held, and protests adopted.
The clergy met :in the deanery of Piymtree yesterday
(Thursday) morning, at the house of the Rev. Mr. Webster,Bradwich. The object of the meeting ;was to choose from
that deanery delegates to attend the approaching synod.
The clergy were not unanimous, and the result was, by a
majority of nearly two to one, that no delegates should be
sent, on the motion of the Rev. Mr. Heberden, supported
by the Rev. H. E. Head, the Rev. E. E. Coleridge, and
liev. J. Hurdle.

THE STATEMENTS IN A MORNING PAPER, that Lord
John Russell's announced bill to improve the administra-
tion of justice in the Court of Chancery, and the Judicial ,
Committee of Privy Council, proposes to associate the Vice-
Chancellors, Sir J. L. Knight Bruce and Lord Cranworth,
as appellate judges with the Lord Chancellor, is not correct.
The bill will provide for the appointment of two additional
' Vice Chancellors, who are to take precedence immediately
after the Lord Chief Baron. It will be prcposed that the
new Viee-Chancellors shall assist the Lord Chancellor in
the hearing of appeals, and exercise in his absence a co
ordinate equitable jurisdiction. It will also be proposed to
confer on them a primary jurisdiction in bankruptcy. In
addition to these duties, a proposal will be made to em-
power the Rouse of Lords to avail themselves of their
assistance in the same manner as that of the common law
judges is now afforded, but without interfering with the
existing power, to require the aid of the latter. The new
Vice-Chancellors will also form a portion of the Court of
the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council In addition
to thews leading provisions of the forthcoming measure,
there will be others introduced with • view generally to
improve the administration of justice in equity.—Olobe.