The Sun.
London, England, 1836-03-11 00:00:00

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LONDON,
FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 11, 1836.

Lord MELBOURNE in the Upper House, and Lord
JOIIN RUSSELL in the Lower, brought forward last
night the second Report of the Commissioners to en-
quire into the state of the Established Church in
England and Wales. The recommendations contained
in the Report were favourably received in both Houses ;
and deservedly so ; for if they do not go to the root of
ecclesiastical abuses, at least they provide a remedy for
many of the most glaring and obnoxious ones. Among
other satisfactory innovations, it is proposed to reduce
the number of pluralities : to augment the revenues of
the poorer Bishoprics by endowing them with a portion
of the income of the richer Sees : to abolish prebends
where residence is not attached : and to pre-
serve one 'Dean and four Canons for the purposes
of Cathedral service. As respects the altera-
tions in the dioceses, Lord MELBOURNE said :
" The estimated annual revenue of Canterbury
amounted to 17,0001. per annum ; it was proposed to
reduce it to 15,000/, per annum. The Bishopric of
London was estimated at 12,200/. per annum ; it was
proposed to reduce it to 10,0001. The see of Durham
was estimated to possdts an annual revenue of 17,8001.,
the proposed reduction was to 8,0001. That of Win-
chester was estimated at 10:7001.; it was proposed to
be reduced to 7,0001. Worcester was estimated at
6,5001:; it was proposed to reduce it to 5,000/. St.
Asaph and Bangor (one being 5,2001., and the other
3,8001.) were to haVe a revenue of 5,0001. each. The
reductions thus effected would form a fund of about
28,500/. per annum, to which was to be added the saving
in the transfer of the see of Bristol, 2,3001. a-yeqx-;
thus making altogether a fund of 30,8001. per annum."
This is that portion of the projected Church Reform
which will be received with the least satisfaction by
the people. Well may the Archbishop of CANTER-
BURY speak favourably of it—well call it a Reform,
modelled strictly on Conservative principles—for it is
" Conservative" of his episcopal revenue to the extent
of 15,0031. per annum ; thereby leaving him in pos-
session of a greater income than is enjoyed by the
three Ex-Chancellors, Lords ELDON, LYNDHURST,
and BROUGHAM, put together ! A Church Reform
of this nature may do very well for a season, but it
can never be a final one. It will not silence the
outcry against the exorbitant wealth of the higher:
clergy—the utmost it. can be expected' to do,
will be to modciate it. The Episcopal re-
venues must be still further reduced. The pockets
of his Grace of CANTERBURY, in particular, as
also of the Bishop of LONDON, must have a far
As for
more apostolic character imparted to them.
,
well-endowed
plea, that it is necessary for them to keep up an
appearance of great state, we scout it as one worthy
only of a rank Tory. It is not by his
pocket, but his well-endowed mind, that the head of the
Church should be conspicuous. He should be a
" shining light unto men," not by the dazzle of his
gold, but by the meek effulgence of his religious and
moral worth. However, as an introduction to something
more efficient, this Reform may pass. We may accept it
as an instalment ; but assuredly not as the paymentslitary
of the whole debt due to-the country. The very fact
of the Conservatives—with the sole exception of Sir
ROBERT INGLIS, who stands proudly out in
discontent—being in its favour, should induce us to
look on it, if not with dissatisfaction, at least with
r
wholesome distr\ust ; especially when we find the Arch-
bishop
bishop of CANTERBURY, notwithstanding the
very
accommodating character of the Reform, expressly
declaring that, in his opinion, a all the large cathedral
establishments should be kept up, for many of the
appointments attached to them were highly beneficial as
rev ards to clergymen for their piety and good conduct."
We hope Ministers will allow of no amendments founded
on the principle here so explicitly laiddown ; for though
it may be all very just and proper that pious parsons
should be rewarded, still there is no earthly reason why
the people should be unduly taxed for the support of
such piety. Though; on the whole, his Grace ex-
pressed himself satisfied with the projected measure,