The Sun.
London, England, 1870-03-10 00:00:00

SCOTCH CHURCH RATES.

The Post does not mean to say that the considerations
which were urged against the second reading of the bill
were sufficient to explain away the grievance it sought to
remove. No doubt to a greater or less extent it is a griev-
ance • but the unanswerable objection to the bill is that it
practically called upon the House partially and very
seriously to disendow the Scottish Church under
the pretence that it was depriving, it of resources as
comparatively trifling as the English Church rate. There
was a want of candour in this,, perhaps not intended, but
which was none the less likely to mislead. If there exists
now such a feeling of aversion to the assessment as ren-
ders it imperative that Parliament should abolish it,
or if such a feeling should by and by reveal itself, there
can be no doubt of the power of the English Legis-
lature to repeal an Act passed by the Scotch
Parliament, and the fact that that Act has been in
existence upwards of two centuries notwithstanding.
No position is more clear than that Parliament has a per.
feet right to deal with property, but it must not lose sight
of justice in doing so. In the case of the Irish Church
the Prime Ministr admitted that the claims of the clergy
ought to meet with liberal and even generous considera-
tion, and whenever, if ever, the time comes for the disen-
dowincnt of the Scottish Church, Parliament will, we
are sure, not deal less liberally or generously with her
clergy.

THE BISHOP OF LONDON'S FUND.

The Telegraph thinks it is hardly necessary to call
attention to the great importance of the objects sought
by the formation of the Bishop of London's Fund. The
most important fact to be borne in mind nowadays
by our Christian philanthropists is exactly that
which is most naturally lost to sight—namely,
that the spiritual destitution of London is not a " fixed
quantity," but always growing. When by dint of earnest
effort we have made a certain impression one year, we
find, next year, that what we have failed to overtake is
increased by a fresh influx of destitution, and that the
aggregate is as great as it was when we made our first
effort. As a means of directly acting upon these outcasts
of our society, the Bishop of London's Fund is admirably
chosen. It is essentially a reforming and civilising
agency, and, though springing from the Church of
England, it takes no party ground, and can provoke no
sectarian feeling. As Lord Sandon well remarked
at the meeting on Wednesday, the labours of other
denominations were heartily acknowledged, and
no unseemly collisions have ever taken place.
Nor is it the least among the merits of the scheme, that
such encouragement has been given to lay agency of the
most devoted and unselfish character. Mercy is twice
blessed ; in this case, as in most others, the benefit con-
ferred is inexpressible ; and the reflex influence upon the
Chureh at large is precious and far-reaching. We hope
that the meeting will have the effect of an inte-
rest which had been allowed to wane, and that a part, at
least, of the large unsubscribed balance of £600,000 will
soon he contributed by willing helpers in so admirable a
work of faith and labour of love.

A QUESTION FOIL DOCTORS OF DIVINITY.—The
Cucen of the sth of March contains the following query :
—" Can any lady recommend any Sunday toys, for very
young children—fourteen months old? 1 find the Noah's
Ark is not safe, as they break off the limbs from the
figures and put them in their mouths." It is, indeed, a
little difficult to know what theological toys can be
recommended to persons of such tender years that they
put all they possess into their mouths ; perhaps thirty-nine
Irticles of the nature of ninepins might suit.
A NATIONAL OFFERING TO MRs. GLADSTONE.
—The Belfast News Letter says that Mr. M'Creery, Bally-
macarrett, has completed an Irish spinning wheel for
presentation to Mrs. Gladstone. It is similar in style to
those he formerly bad the honour of presenting to her
Majesty and the Countess Spencer. The workmanship is
admirable, and in point of neatness and finish is all that
could be desired. Mr. Gladstone's arms are engraved on
the wheel, with some other appropriate decorations. A
quantity of fine flax is supplied. with the wheel from the
works of Messrs. William lto,s and Co.

REMOVAL OF A LEGAL GRIEVANCE.-Xl'llB new

Act abolishing imprisonment for debt has incidentally
removed what to debtors was regarded as a " legal
grievance," by getting rid of all proclamation of outlawry.
Since the days of Alfred, debtors after judgment have
b.len proclaimed at county courts for five months, and in
many cases the publicity or exposure has led to arrange-
ments. By abolishing imprisonment for debt, the parties,
if they surrender, cannot be taken to prison. On the last
court day there was not a single case called, and it is
expected that the cessation at the Sheriffs' Court will be
of lone continuance.

THE PUBLIC IIEALTH.—Last weeic tne rate 01
mortality in London and 19 other large towns in the
United Kingdom was 28 per 1,000 varying from 20 in
Birmingham and Leicester to 32 in Portsmouth and Not-
tingham. In the metropolis 2,259 births and 1,673 deSths
were registered, the latter having exceeded the estimated
number by 102. The deaths from zymotic diseases were
1139, the corrected average numberbeing 322. Eight persons
cried from smallpox, 21 from measles, 78 from scarlet fever,
3 from diptheria, 58 from whooping-cough, 6 from
tiyhus fever, 14 from enteric (or typhoid) fever, 7 from
simple continued fever, 8 from relapsing fever, and 16
from diarrhoea. The mortality from scarlet fever was the
lowest that has been recorded in any week since that
which ended on 24th July, 1869. During the 32 weeks
that have elapsed since that date, the deaths from this
disease have amounted to 5,255. Six deaths were attri-
buted to privation, and an equal number to street acci-
dents. Ths mean temperature during the week was 45'3,
or 5'7 above the average, and the entire range of the ther-
insmeter was more than 28 decrees.

GERMAN MILITARY LAW.—'llol).artitort dournak
rtates that the Progressist party in the Federal Parlia-
ment has introduced a motion proposing that the Federal
power shall proceed to the reform of the military penal
code. They wish to provide the same guarantee in matters
brought before the military tribunals as in the cases tried
by the ordinary tribunals, and they propose to limit tip,
jurisdiction of the military courts in time of peace
to offences . against discipline merely. A com-
promise is talked of with respect to the new penal
code abolishing the penalty of death. The present law
sanctioning capital punishment is, it is said,. to be retained
for five years, and then subjected to a revision. During
this interval the Government will have time to ascertain
whether there is a necessity for the change so loudly, de-
manded by the public.

i'reliminary arrangements have been made for the
establishment of a new Liberal club house, and the com-
mittee cf the Cobden Club have issued a circular expressing
their belief in the existence of a general feeling as to the
necessity of further club house accommodation for the
Liberal party, and inquiring how far the members of the
Cobden Club would individually be prepared to support the
sne alinvr.4 rdarrcul tn. „ _