The Express.
London, England, 1861-06-05 00:00:00

THE CHURCH•RATE QUESTION.

Yesterday afternoon a special general meeting of
the members of the Church Institution was held in the ball
of King's College, Strand, in reference to the present nai-
-1 tion of the church-rate question. Mr. HENRY HOARs pre-
sided, and there were present—Lord Ingestre, M.P., Lord
Robert Montagu, M.P., Mr. Hubbard, M.P., Mr. Wet.
linkrton, M.P., Mr. Oars, M.P., Sir E. Cost. Sir Thomas
Phillips. the Hon. H. Walpole, and other gentlemen.
Mr. CLABON moved the first resolution, namely. " That
it would be desirable to have the question of church rates
settled on the basis of leaving out as objects of the rate
such expenses as are connected with the performance of
divine worship, the repair of the fabric of the church and
churchyard being left as the objects of the rate ; and of
obtaining in return more effectual powers for making and
recovering the rate." He exprevsed his opinion that there
were only four courses,which could be adopted :-1, For the
church to remain in the state in which she now was ;
2, that some bill should be passed increasing her powers ;
3, some scheme of exemption of parsons, as proposed by
Mr. Hubbard ; or, 4, exemption of object:, as proposed in
the resolution be now submitted. He thought that the
time had come when the church institution must do some-
thing positive, for the present condition of the church-rate
question was very perplexing and difficult.
Mr. Jones, barrister-at-law, seconded the motion.
Mr. A. BRIMMED HOPE moved the following amend-
ment :—" Tbst whatever settlement of the church rate
question be adopted it should be one which should not
establish any distinction between the fabric rate and the
worship rate."
Lord brownie, 3f.P., seconded the amendment. He
thought then was leas necessity for discussing these roes-
mores at present, as the division on the Church Rate Alo.
lition Bill had been postponed fur a fortnight. For himself
he would rather go to Sir John Trelawny attic they bud
had a division ou the Church Rate Bill, and then see what
they could do. He should stand upon the resolutions em-
bodied in the report of the House of Lords' committee and
by no other.
Sir EDWARD CURT said he went with the most ardent
perspire in support of church rates, and would not surrender
a bit. He thought with Mr. Hope that it would be highly
important, that it would not be prudent to substitute a
fabric rate for the old church rate. What be should pro-
pose would be to put aside the religions view and take this
as a tax upon property.
Sir THOMAS PHILLIPI4 was also opposed to no surrender
and war to the knife, es conveying an inaccurate view of
the feeling of churchmen, for he believed that they were all
anxious to preserve the church in its integrity.
Mr. HUBBARD, thought that that meeting ought
not to be called upon to put forward what churchmen were
prepared to concede. No doubt the subject was full of
difficulties, principally because they were approaching it
front a great constitutional position, namely, the nationality
of the Church of England, And oo the other hand from •
concession to dissenters on principles of civil and religious
liberty. While gentlemen looked at the question from
either view alone they would never come to an agreement.
He did not like the word compromise, because it implied an
abandonment of principle, but he thought they ought not, as
• matter of policy, to refuse to make • concession. Io a
gnat portion of the wintry concession was now made to
dissenters in church rates in large towns, and it could not be
prevented while dissenter were allowed to vote on church
rates. He did not think the resolution which had been pro-
wind would leave the question in a satisfactory or crMita-
hie position, and he thought they ought either to eliminate
from the general question that which was adverse to it, or
to aocept)that which he declined, total abolition, which was
attempted to be forced upon them. If they wished to know
the real principles which were at the bottom of the ()ppm&
tine, it was the existence of the established church with
certain privileges sod prerogatives. if churchmen pre-
served their character and independence individually he
should be disposed to meet the dissenter with liberality.
He did not think that the state of affairs in the House of
Commons promised a settlement this session, and church-
men ought not, therefore, hastily to make up their minds,
but to consider some plan of adjustment which would enable
the legislature to get out of its present difficulties.
Lord R. Moernoo, M.P., suggested that Mr. Clabon
should withdrawlia motion, and allow him to move that the
executive committee should send the resolutions which had
been proposed, and an abstract of other measures which had
been suggested, to the rural deism throughout England, so
that the feeling of the clergy might be obtained upon them,
and also what was their feeling on the propriety of con-
ossaton and the bears on which it should rest.

After some farther diseitasion.
The CHAIRMAN took the sense of the meeting, the result
beiog that Mr. Clabon's resolution was rejected, and Mr.
Beresford Hope's amendment anted.
Lord ROBERT Morreotr, M.P., Um moved his resolu-
tion which was ssioooded by Mr. Hors, and unanimously
adopted.

STOCKTON Canning RATe Cass—Tae MINORITY
TAILEG THE WiaoanT.—By a mead act the churchwar•
dens of Stockton impose • church rate every year, and
subject a number of the plat respectable dissentiog inhabi-
tante of the town to this rate, and • heane when refused.
The rate hex just again been enforced the magistrates,
and the police Cr, now going about collecting it and the
expenses of the court, with orders to mike a seizure of pro.
party where they are not paid. This is an annual affair at
Stockton•on-Tea. The dissenters have no power to defeat
the rate, for the vestry which imposes it must be composed
of churchmen who are regular communicants. If • meeting
of the ratepayers WON ailed the rate would be utterly
defeated.
bisrSol.ol.rraN Fees HOSPITAL, DIVONBH111;
0117.—The aggregate number of pilot! relieved
during the week ending June 1, was : Yedieal, 1,225
surgical, 466—total, 1,764, of which 611 were sew cam.