The Express.
London, England, 1861-11-15 00:00:00

[TWOPENCE

if there is to be legislation upon church mites, none
ran be satisfactory winch is not intrueluced
upon the authority of her Majesty's government. (Liters.)
Sure I am that nu nienther of parliament, whether he sit
in Lords or Commons, can,' with his own resources and on
his own responsibility, succeed in such an enterprise. It
would lead only to renewed defeat and increased disaster.
The subject at present is in that position, that the govern-
ment is twat happily placed in regard to it, it they wish to
attempt tolegislate. Ooe halter the I louse of Commons sitting
opposite to them will support any just measure, waiving
any points of difference between themselves in matters of
detail, and therefore the government is in a position to
mainland a large majority upon the subject. I think my-
self that it is upon the whole their duty
to deal with it. The question of church
rates is the great domestic question of the
ilay. It ought not to be left in the position which it now
occupies, after what has occurred iu the two houses of par-
liament of late years. The very fact that the opinion of
the House of Commons as agaiust the euverument is equally
divided, Red that iu the other house of parliament there is an
overwhelming majority against any rash and uucondi-
tiunid change indicates that It is the duty of those who are
responsible for the good government of the country to come
forward, and with all the authority of the administration,
offer to the house a fair opportunity to deal with
the question. I would venture, nay lord, to ask
your permission to offer one observation, which
I hope churchmen who minister to us in sacred
thirsts will nut feel presumptuous. I him myself, 1 seed
hardly say, in public life a party man. lam not, however,
unaware, nor ant I insensible of the errors and the excesses
which occasionally occur is party conflicts, and I have a
pro'ound conviction that in this country the best security
for the purity of government and for public liberty is to be
found in the ortmiusatioo of public mete. Nevertheless I
have ever counselled to my clerical friends the utmost
reserve on political affairs, not that I question
their right to entertain on all political subjects their
opinions, and, if they choose, to act upon them. An Mili*
clergt man is an English gentleman and English citizen
l I have always felt that in pelortion to their political' but
activity will the integrity of their spiritual influence be
diminished. I prefer the maintenance et their spiritual sad
social influence to theirpolitiad activity. But there is a limit'[
would recommend, and that is when individualsare no longer
in question, but institutions. When politics consist of ques-
tions concerning institutions, and do not boat upon iodivi-
duals, then it is the duty of clergymen, nut merely their
right, but their duty, to interfere, and when the institution
in question is that which their ddly.thoughts and nightly
meditations ought always to Its fixed upon--the church in
which they are the sacred soinistere—then, in my opinion,
they would be guilty of an apathy that cannot be defended it
they were silent or idle. The clergy of the Church of Eng-
land have, at this moment, one of the greatest and niost
glorious of opportunities for accomplishing a great
pubhc service that probably over was offered to a
body of public men. It is in their power to
' determine and to effectuate that church questions in this
country shall not be party questions. Aod how are they to
Ido this? By being united. Let them ou general public
affairs entertain that which I trust they always will enter-
' halo as free Laglishmen—their own iudepeudeut opinions.
Let them be banded in the two great historic parties iu the
state, whit or tory. It would he an unfortunate thing in
this country if any great influential body of men entertain-
iug differences of opinion were not so banded, but let them
say church questions are not questions which we will permit
to eider the province of political party. if the clergy are
united, in that determination they may rest Bemired
that the laity will soon become milted too,
and we shall put an end to that horrible
anomaly of seeing churchmen using their influence and
exercising their votes against the church. When this is
accomplished we shall meet together in assemblies of this
kind, and for these objects, depend upon it, with a very
different spirit, and with a very diffetent degree of power.
Then I believe that these admirable institutions, the object
of which is to ameliorate the whole body of society, will
assume that catholic and universal character in their action
that is so nurchl to be desired. Thee I think that the great
objects of the church—the educatiou of thu people, their
coinpletespiritual supervision, the completion of our pa-
rochial system, and, above all, the free sod decorous
worship of the Almighty' will be secured and
effected. My lord bebop, I have sometimes thought it
would sot be unsuitable if such a movement were to °ma-
mma* in the diocese over which you rule. Not merely be-
cause—even in your presence I will IV it—that you possess
that energy of character and that fertility of resource which
isslicate you as a man capable of dealiug with great affairs,
but eveu for other reasons. There are two things
which the people of Euglaud love most—religion sod
liberty ; and it so happens that in the diocese over which
you rule are found those districts which are meet memor-
able in the history of this country fur sacred learning and
for public spirit. May these eluded influences guide your
lordship and your clergy iu this grave and critical moment in
the history of the church of England ' • then you will be a
shining light and bright example to otlher dioceses, and then
such a spirit will be raised in this country that you will find
churchmen at last united, cad you will establish the church
upon the catholic sympathies of an enlightened and a reli-
gious people. (Loud cheers.)
The resolution was harried unanimously, and some other
resolutions being adopted, the proceediugs were brought to
a close by a vote of thanks to the bishop.

TIE NEW EDUCATION MINUTIL-DEPUTATION
TO EARL ORANVILLE.

Yesterday a deputation from the clergy of the
&emery of Stepney had an interview, by appoint-
ment, with Pert Granville and Mr. Lowe, at the Council-
office, on the subject of the revised education code.
The deputation Demisted of the following clergymen :
Rev. E. R. Jonas, rector of Liniehouse. rural dean ; Rev.
U. H. M*Gill, incumbent of Christ Church. St. George•in.
the-East ; Rev. F. Simeon Lea, incumbent of Trinity
church ; Rev. C. H. Carr, incumbent of St. John's, Lime-
house ; Rev. Mr. Wean!, Rev. Mr. Parnell, Rev. Mr.
How, of Bromley ; Rev. Mr. Cottcn, of Bow.
The following memorial was prevented to Earl Granville,
and was signed by thirty-eight clergymen :
"To the Right flociourable Earl Granville, KG., Lord
President of the Council.

"We the undersigned clergy of the deanery of Stepney,
in the diocese of London, which contains a population of
upwards of MAU, respectfully request your lordship's
attention to the following reasons why we strongly depre-
cate the introduction of the revised code bearing date duly
Td, trttil i—let. Because we are unable to undertake
the increased pecuniary responsibility which the
cede imposes upon school nuitiagcre. From the
circumstances of this neighbuurhood, the incum-
bents of parishes are is moat cases virtually, and often sibs*.
lately, responsible for all school expenditure, and the
weekly advances to pupil teachers would fell on them,
while the code leaves the repayment altogether uncertain.
2udly. Because we have, on careful inquiry, ascertained
that, while expenditure will continue at its {,recant level,
the amount of government aid would, under the most
favourable circumstances, be diminished by more than
one-third in boys and girls' schools, and be almost
loot iu infant schools. The migratory character of
our poor renders the atteudance peculiarly irregular,
nod the average stay of the children at any school extremely
short, so that, while grouping :mambo- to age for examine-
; tiou would be specially unfair, the refusal of all allowance
fur children not present at Map:retie'', or fur those who have
;lot attended sixteen times in the month preceding the
date of the return, would leave out of consideration a large
aniouut of the year's work. :!Wily. Because we have at
present the greatest difficulty in keeping oar schools out of
debt, and we believe that it would he impassible for us to do
so under the revised code."

Earl Gusivvii.tx said Le felt grateful to the deputation
fur the courteous and temperate manlier w which they ex-
pri.esed their views of the proposed code. The observations
mite.) were couhned to the supposed effects of the new code
on particular schools situated in a very poor and populous
district. The Rev, Mr. dimes said a little with regard to
the religious pert of the question. He did not feel the
strength of that objection, as far as he had considered the
matter. The great objection urged, however, was the
pecuniary one, ■nd the difficulty which would exist in
carrying uu the schools under the new code. He should
like to know whether the deputation would wish to return
to the former slate of thiugv, or whether there was any
sundilicition of the code which they could suggest!
The Rev. Mr. M'Cam. said they had but entered into
that. They merely wished to impress on Lis lordship the
totally unworkable character of the new system.
The Rev. Mr. JONES thought that the statistic* showed
that the revised code, so far from meeting the wants of the
poorer districts, would involve them in greater difficulty.
The Rev. Mr. MYlibt. said a modification of the present
system might be made in this way. The complaint made—
and it was not without justice—was that the elementary
subjects of reading, writing and arithmetic had been neg-
lected for other branches. Rut that objection might be met
by not admitting to the capitation grant any person who
Lad tot passed a satisfactory examiaatiou in those subjects.
The Rev. Mr. Lea did not believe the revised code
would interfere with the religious training of the schools.
It would be a shame to the clergy if they did not give
religious instruction without payment.
After some further remarks, Emrl tai.tXvitti said be felt
obliged to all the gentlemen for the statement' they put for.
ward, after which the deputation withdrew.

THE GREET EurrouN.—There appears to be some
doubt u to the Great Eastern ootn:ng to Liverpool agaio,
for at the meeting of the Mrree fleck board, yesterday, the
marine committee reoomnlended tnut the mocriap laid &ma
for her in the Worse should be tak,n up, as they obstructed
the navigation of the river. Mr. Thomas Bold said that the
Great &gam directors had themselves resolved to take up
the ssooriaga.