Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1860-01-19 00:00:00

THE PEW SYSTEM.

The following petition, on the pew system, to the
Houses of Convocation, has been circulating for signa-

tare in Liverpool .-
I.—That much dissatisfaction exists regarding the
appropriation of pews and sittings in churches and
chapels, whereby a large proportion of the people are
excluded from the privilege of worshipping God in the
houses set apart for His service.
2.—That in the old parish churches, the greater part
of the pews and sittings are in the possession of the
landed proprietors and their tenants ; and consequently
the labouring class are either shut out altogether, or are
under the necessity of occupying such few free sittings
as remain, which are generally 'situated in the worst
parts of the church, and where it is impossible for them
either to see or hear the officiating minister.
3.—That it is notorious that these appropriated pews
and sittings are considered as the absolute property of
their possessors ; and that they are, as such, often kept
locked up, and are sometimes bought, sold, and let ; and
that being considered property, the parishioners are not
permitted, or do not suppose themselves to be permitted,
to occupy these pews and sittings, even in the absence
of their reputed owners ; and that, consequently, it
frequently occurs that the parish churches, during divine
service, are but partially filled with worshippers, not-
withstanding there are many willing to attend divine
service, if they might, as a right and not as a favour,
occupy such
.pews or sittings as may be vaoant.
4.—That in consequence of the legal appropriation of
pews and sittings in district churches erected under
certain Acts of Parliament, a large proportion of the
people are prevented from attending. Divine service.
s.—That in some places the pews and sittings of
parish churches, by special Acts of Parliament, in con-
sideration of certain sums of money advanced for the
purpose of promoting the building or re-building of
these said parish churches, have been declared to be the
property of their possessors, and as such may be, and
sometimes are, put up to sale.

6.—That in Consequence of the pew system, as it pre-
vails in both parochial and district churches, more than
one-half of the population are deprived of the use of
their churches ; and being unable to attend divine ser-
vice, the people become either permanently alienated
from the church to other communions, or wholly irre-
ligious.
7.—Your petitioners would humbly and respectfully
represent to your Right Reverend [or Reverend] Rouse-
-B.—First, that by the spiritual law, all men, whether
they be rich or poor, high or low, are equal before God,
and that they are entitled to equal rights and privileges
in the church.
9.—Secondly, that by the common law of England,
all the parishoners, without any distinction, have an
inalienable right to the free use of their parish church,
without let or hindrance.
10.—Thirdly, that all churches were built and en-
dowed for the common benefit of all, and not of any
class in particular; and that, inasmuch as all the in-
habitants of a parish, either directly or indirectly con-
tribute towards the income of the minister, and the
maintenance of divine service, and are, moreover,
chargeable by the law with the preservation of the
fabrics, it follows, as a necessary consequence, that they,
the parishoners, without any distinction, have an equal
interest in their parish church, and an equal right to
worship therein.
11.—Fourthly, that all the district churches were
founded for the purpose of relieving the old parish
churches, and that they were ostensibly built and
endowed' for the common l)enetit of all persons residing