The Express.
London, England, 1857-10-07 00:00:00

PRACTICAL CHURCH REFORM&

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The following is an extract from the charge
delivered by Dr. Hering, Bishop of Gloucester end Bristol,
at his primary visitation, which commenced on Wednesday
last, at Stroud •
. . .

"1 have been able to hold coaArreations throughout a con-
siderable portion of the diocese, and ea any intercom'e with
the clergy on these occasion hoe served to confirm the con-
clude; at which I had arrived from my own parochial expt
rienoe, that the celebration of this ordinance ul accompanied
with lasting benefit to all classes, I am anxious thus publicly
to express my madames to bold confirmations more fre-
quently and more generally. It would appear that the in-
junction in the canon, which fixed three years as the longest
time which most intervene between the administration of this
rite has gradually been received as the fixed and most suitable
Interval in each place, although in many of the towns of this
diocese a biennial, or even in a few ease an annual confirma-
tion would probably better meet the wishes of the clergy and
the neoessicea of the people. Nor can it be doubtful that
rsreit enls have sense from the unfrequent opportunities.rnh have been presented for confirmation. One is,
that it has led to the admeriun of candidates too
young in egg to appreciate the solemn chattier ef the
service. I have avoided thing any age ea the standard talon
which I should not wish candidates to be presented, became
age is a very imperfect test of the intelligence of the 'yam,
and because the clergyman of each parish, upon whom reds
the reepozeibility of preparation and selection, is the orb
' proper judge of the Maras of his youthful flock to te ad-
mitiod to such a rite. But lam sure my reverend brethren
will view this ordinance in the same t es myself as one
lbw the thoughtful and piously dfgtoss and not for the are-
isle and irreligious, and that none should be admitted to it
who have not reached an at which their moral character
hes been in some degree developed. Now a mot frequent
confirmation in every neighbourhood will enable the clergy-
man to put aside for • fitters opportunity those about whose
Intelligence end sincerity he ie doubtful; and I sea satisfied
that the stricter test which each will be enabled
to enforce, with regard to the mental-
and moral qualifica-
tions of the candidates, will tend gradually to bim
2anr... to this ordinance who at present deny and
it, because they have been witnesses of the
-Lear* thoutleeenses and ignorance with which numbers
have availed themselves of it. Another reason why the rite
01 confirmation has fallen Into di repute is, that the gather-
ing of a large number of young persons from distant Tinned'
to some central town has been too often productive of much
levity, if nut of more aerioua mischief. The frivolous have
looked upon the day of confirmation sea holiday on which to
enjoy themeless • the evil-disposed have availed themselves
orit s /avowed& semen for dissipation. In order to pre-
vent the remnant. of such scenes, I am quite willing to
sailtiply iedefinitely the places at which confirmations are
held, sad, so far se m time will allow' to visit any parish
at the mare of the alergyroa for the purpose of continue-
** I would also soma to the clergy the importance in
every ors fa witch their madidetwo have to go to another
wish tar confhwelien, that each refreshment se may be ne-
emery for than should be provided bekeahand at some
private dwelling, so that the young should have no wee.
eity orcexcum for entering a public-holes. I would also suggest
the advantage which would arise if the clergyman &mom-
paoied his candidates both in going to the place and in re-
turning home, in order to protect and onosurage the well-
disposed and to be a check upon any who might be inclined
to be disorderly or to tempt others to what wee wrong. A
third reason why the rite of confirmation is much under-
valued is, that it so rarely happens that sponsors and parents
among the labouring clime 'have an opportunity of witness-
ing this solemn service. Their work-day duties exclude
them from taking part be an ordinance which la celebrated
usually on a week day. The only way to make the poor
better acquainted with this rite is by holding emanations
more generally on the Sunday. And although there are
ob.jectiousi to such a comae in large towns, I anticipate un-
mixed mod from it in country villages, provided that the
admission of candidates be strictly confined to the inhabitants
of the one village in which the confirmation is held, and
that none from neighbouring parishes are allowed to
attend. Thu Sundays, indeed, are few which occur during
the usual brief annul circuit of conermation. But lam
willing to devote many other Sundays of the year to this
most important object, not excepting the Sundays through-
out the winter months. The winter evenings will in many'
cases afford the beat opportunity to the clergyman ke gather-
ing together kis evening classes for instruction, whit'st a
wintry Lord's-day will geeeentso serious obstacle to the et-
'madama of three desire= el confirmation if the modifies,
be restricted to the NNW eta single parish, and thus saved
a long walk in a leek midis to a distant home. The only
objection to this plea* theft should have to tax the hod
chanty of the clergymen, or cat of his neighbours, by be-
coming their guest bona the Saturday evening to the Monday
morning. But I trust thee this objection will be lessened
when I ammo them that the_ plasma' of my visit will
be increased, and that I 'hall be relieved from the
fear that toy presents is a burden to them, if they
will but receive me to the some homely way in which they
would entertain any other Mabee clergyman. I would also add
that, as it is my unvarying rule to comply with any
far the meters... of any episcopal duties In the order
which the tppliaatiosa reach am, I most beg for an early v-
elar fee week-day at Sunday confirmations eat of
the masse; sad mkt seir ray clergy to give me credit
le a einem dude Is melt their wishes, even when other
prevent my compliance with the arrangements
erf="therly may propose.
"There bays been eo many diocesan subjects which I have
been anxious to bring under your consideration that I forbear
taxing your time and attention by a reference to any of those
more general topic. which affect the well-being of thechtuTh.
That there are many features in the meant aspect of things
calculated to muse anxiety to all who are deems that tree
religion may still flownh end abound in our land, none can
deny. A small amount of reading of the literature of
the day, a plight attention to passing evade, a little
intercourse with general society, will be enough to
°masa us that there to much unsettled:hese upon
the most weential truths of religion, and that the
agents of Romaniern, Rationalism, and Infidelity are openly
and dfiigently at work in undermining the foundations of our
country • faith. Their efforts are the more dangerous bananas
they are not of that coarse and violent character which
sated the condition of put genetstione, but are glioni.suli
adapted to the Mereseed intelligent* of the age.
lacteal ere attracted by the pretence that the diaconale of
science and philosophy have subverted the ancient strewg-
holds of a Christi= man's belief. The imaginative are
fascinated by the bold, startling novelty with which old
end oft-refuted fallacies are revived. The independent
thinker is captivated by the loud di nunciations of the keg-
existing slavery of mind to sect and authority, and by the arro-
grant claims of a new school, that they only, free from all the
trammels and prejudices of partisanship, ere able to reject the
errors and superstition,, and to milect the truth and excel-
keel , of all patios. Whilst the person who does not
take the trouble to think for himself, but is
by the opinion of others, ie awed by the charge of
to .s
end weakness of mind if he cleave the faith once deli,
to the sante, and be fancies be must be right if he aide with
those who are the moatnoisy, it not most voracious, in their
dew Moottions that all the thoughtful and learned are on their
side, These opus of the mean times are unquestionably
email] and alio-mine, but they should not be allowed to pro-
d', e chsetium tonna or dismay, but should ratter air us
up to inrmaemt virnianoe, exertion and prayer. They mutely
manifestations of the subtlety and unceasing activity of
that great edvereary, who, although he works at different
time. by different instrumentality, will never be quiet
whine the church is active; will never give it a moment's
rest unless there has fallen upon it the spirit of slumber.
And never in any age of its existence has the Church of
England exhibited more satisfactory evidence of life and
energy, or presented more abundant practical proofs that the
leaven of true religion is extensively influencing the whole
mass of the community. We might point to the recent large
increase in the number of churches and schools as a comae-
:ye indication of a progress in dal and charity among the
upper clams of society. But we have other symptoms more
general and more satisfactory of the improved religious
feeling of the whole body of the church. The more quiet end
orderly conduct of the poorer dead in season' of trial ; the
religious tune which pervaded so large a portion of the cor-
espondent* even of the common soldiery during the late
war; the increased interest taken by all chums in efforta for
the ion of the Gospel ; the far better observance of
the 's Day both in towns and villages ; the augmented
nod yearly augmenting number of attendants at church, of
es for confirmation, and of communicate—all these
farts taken Oldham stem enlikient to convince the meet in-
credulous that God's blessing is resting upon our church,
and that it is the instrument in His hand of effecting a larger
amount of spiritual good than in any other period of
its history. We long, indeed, for larger sitcom.
for more abutdent showers of divine blaming. Gladly would
we we our churches far more thronged, every other means of
grace for more prized, and drunkenness, sensuality, and
crime altogether expelled from our land by the power of hue
religion. And became we cannot realise all the good we de-
sire, we are apt to think that nothing has been accompliabed,
and to measure the amount of mores by a oompariaon with
the high standard of perfection at which we must ever aim,
rather than with the actual morel end religious state of our
population a few yew beck. Far be It, indeed, from any to
mode themselves in such improvement, or to rest satisfied
with it ; but it were also sinful not to acknowledge with
gratitude how much Clod bath wrought in our behalf, and it
were foolish MA we contemplate the number end power of the
enemies which linemen,' me not to take course. for the con-
flicts of the future by the manifest tokens of the divine. re-
dline, and to continue valiant per the truth, seep by
the firm confidence that their God will be our Gt for ever
and ever If we continue steadfast and immoveable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord,
" I allow that the diegrareful and diehoneet proceedings of
some of nut own body during the lent few peon.; the deli-
berate ,ff iris of some to deny the protretant principles of the
Church of Ragland, end to palliate the most tisgrant errors
of the Church of Rome ; the obstinacy of a few weak-
minded persons enforcing upon unwilling arnmegatione
frivolous changes ; in fresh and unauthorised novelties in
ornament and ceremonies ; and also all the open desertion of
our church by many distinguished for zed and ability, and
their unblushing acknowledgment in some instande that
they hold Romish doctrines whilst they ministered in our
churches—all this be. given rid to a widely extended and
most unjust traspicion that the whole of our clergy are but-
ton in heart, and are only hindered by the mold sordid
1106•01 from earning their allegiance to the Papal Sea
These end other mum upon which I need not dwell may
be sufeeleot to teemed ter the estrangement brewers the
dean and a love moo of the population.
" But there le another mean to whkh I wish to direct year
attention tor • few names* because the re neey for the evil
be the partisider inelenoe is in your own hands, my err.