The Express.
London, England, 1867-02-14 00:00:00

CONVOCATION AND RITUALISM.

The Upper House of Convocation of the pro-
vince of Canterbury reassembled at Westminster yester-
day, and the following resolution on the subject of
ritualism wee unanimously adopted, in the largest meet-
ing of the prelates of the southern province which has for
many years been held in convocation.
His Grace the Archbishop of CANTERBCRT, the presi-
dent, remarked that only seven bishops of the province
were absent, and of these there was only one, viz., the
Bishop of Worcester, who was not prevented from attend-
ing by sickness, infirmity, or domestic affliction.
The resolution was moved by the Bishop of OaroaD,
and seconded by the Bishop of LONDON.
The prelates present were—His Grace the Archbishop
of Canterbury ,• the Bishops of London, Winchester, St.
David's, Oxford, Lichfield, St. Asaph, Llandaff, Lincoln,
Rochester, Bangor, Gloucester and Bristol, Ely, and
Peterborough-
" Resolved—That, having taken into consideration the
report made to this house by the Lower House concerning
certain ritual observances, we have concluded that, having
regard to the dangers, 1, of favouring errors deliberately
rejected by the church of England, and fostering a ten-
dency to desert her communion ; 2, of offending even in
things indifferent devout worshippers in our churches, who
have been long used to other modes of service, and thus of
estranging many of the faithful laity k 3, of unnecessarily
departing from uniformity ; 4, of increasing the diffi-
culties which prevent the return of separatists to our com-
munion; we convey to the lower house our unanimous
decisiou, that, having respect to the considerations here
recorded, and to the Rubric concerning the service of the
church in our Book of Common Prayer, to wit: ' For-
asmuch as nothing can be so plainly Net forth, but doubts
may arise in the we and practice of the same ; to appease
all such diversity (if any arise), and for the resolution of
all doubts concerning the manner how to understand, do
and execute the things contained in this book, the partie.
that so doubt or diversely take anything shall always
resort to the bithop of the diocese, who, by his discretion,
shall take order for the quieting and appeasing of the
same, so that the same orderbe not contrary to anything con-
tained in this book ; ar d if the bishop of the diocese be in
doubt, then he may send for the resolution thereof to the
archbishop'—our judgment is that no alterations from
long sanctioned and usual ritual ought to he made in our
churches, until the *section of the bishop of the diocese
has been obtained thereto."
The Lower House assembled in the Jerusalem Cham-
ber, the Venerable Archdeacon Bickersteth, the prole.
cedar, presiding. On the subject of the proposed An-
glican Synod, Archdeacon Wordsworth gave notice that
he would move an amendment on the motion before
the house, if the amendments already given in were
not carried. He said that his amendment would, he be-
. bevel, be accepted by the mover and seconder of the original
motion. It was as follows :--" That this house tender* its
sincere thanks to the committee on the address of the
Canadian church for the labour they have bestowed upon
it, and for the report which they have framed and pre-
sented to this. house, and desires to convey to the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury the respectful expression of an
earnest hope that his grace would be pleased to give an in.
vitation to all bishops in communion with the church of
• England to assemble at such time and plate as he may
deem fit for the purpose of united deliberation on matters
of common interest to the church at home and abroad."
Canon Kennaway presented a long gravamen which he
1 asked should be taken to the Upper House, praying their
I lordallips' house to use all its lower to resist any efforts to
t change the present law in reference to church rates, which
are not based upon the recognition of its ancient principle.
The Prolocutor informed Canon Kennaway that if he

walled this to be presented from the Lower Howie he reust
move that it be discussed us ortir•rine cirri. Canon
Kennaway accordingly moved to this effect. Archdeacon
Denison seciondnl the resolution pro furled. The house
on a vote negatived the proposition, and it was then
ruled that the gravamen would have to be presented
to the Upper House as the private memorial of the mem-
bers by whom it was signed. The Archdeacon of Ely pre-
sented a petition from the London Free and Open Church
Association, playing that steps may be taken tt, reidedy
the evil and wrong taustxt by the appropriation, by acid
classes, of the seats in parish churches, and showing that
this appropriation, except for the service of the day, was
opposed to the principles of the church. The Dens of
Norwich presented a petition from the diocese of Norwich,
expressing an earnest desire to see the Anglican Synod
prayed for by the Canadian church sanctioned, and called
by the heed of the English church. Canon lilakesley
then proceeded to move his amendment, which we pub-
lished yesterday, and the Archdeacon of London having
seconded the amendment a discussion followed, in which
Dr. Jebb, the Dean of Westminster, the Dean of Norwich,
Chancellor Massingbenl. the Archdeacon of Westminster,
Archdeacon Grant, Archdeacon Denison, and Mr. Bram-
ston took part. The amendment on being put was nega-
tived without a division, and, the debate being adjourned,
the house prorogued.

THE BISHOP OF WORCESTER ON RITCALlitu.—
A gentleman resident in Shrewsbury recently wrote to the
Bishop of Worcester, asking his opinion of a motion
about to be submitted to couvocatiou by a Shropshire
archdeacon, which seeks to slefins. " lawful vestments"
of an officiating clergyman of the church of England as
consisting of "the surplice, the black stole or scarf, the
hood, awl the square cap." The bishop has made the fol-
lowing reply:—" I should rejoice it such an order con-
cerning clerScal vestments as you propose could be made
with the general approval of all parties. I think it would
be a reasonable solution of our diiticultics ; but its success
would depend greatly on the spirit With which persona of
extreme views on both sides would receive it."
CAMURIDOE UNIVEIMITV UNION SorIETY.—Tho
undermentioned have been elected the ;Avers for the
ensuing term :—Presislent—Mr. W. H. Kennedy, King's
College. Vice-President—Mr. C. Whiteley, St. John's
College. Secretary—Mr. H. A. Vigg, Trinity College.
The members elected to sent. 4,n tl, amdiu4comunittee
are:—Mr. W. late-Warner. St. John's: Mr. 1.. T. Payne,
Trinity ; Mr. A. S. Wilkins, St. John's; Mr. A. E.
Humphreys, Trinity ; Mr. W. P. Moncton, Coins ; and
Mr. E. T. Leeke, Trinity. The following subject was
debated on Tuesday evening List :—"'!'hat in the opinion
of this house the present lamentable state of the British
anima is owing to the want of on the part
of the writers of ploys, and not to Icy lolling oft in the
I public taste." This wits proposed by Mr. H. A. Criulett,
of Caius College; and supported by Mr. E. S. Shuck•
burgh, Emmanuel, and Mr. W. P. Tiinsbull, Trinity. It
was mils:sod by Mr. W. Lee• Warner. St. John's ; Mr. W.
A. Lindsay, Trinity ; Mr. A. S. Wilkins, St. John's; Mr.
P. T. Wright, Chnst's ; and Mr. T. W. Tipping, Trinity.
The division was :—For the motion, ; against, tl3 ; ma-
jority against, 24.
THE A.PPRoArFiES TO TIIE l t; w PA I.Aq • E of
WEXTMINSTER. —Consequent on Use iummicnience to the
approach of members to the House of Commons. caused by
the blockade of Palace-yard, for the proposed improve-
ments, and which was recently brought under the consi-
deration of the house by Lord Eniest Bruce, the Chief
Commissioner of Works has caused a pertion of the stone-
work to be removed temporarily in order that a 10-feet
footway may be opened from New Bri.ige-street to West-
minsterduill. This footway is now aes.sasible, not only to
Lords and Commons, but to the public generally.