The Sun.
London, England, 1869-08-05 00:00:00

THE NEW IRISH CHURCH BODY.

The Protestant Bishops of Ireland have been
holding a conference at Dublin. The deliberations
were commenced on Tuesday and continued yes-
terday. The proceedings were strictly private ; bub
we learn that all the prelates of Ireland attended
except the Bishop of Cashel. The correspondent of
the Telegraph says it is understood that the bishops
propose to revive Convocation, but are in some
measure embarrassed by the absence of any decisive
expression of opinion by the laity. In some quarters
it is held that whilst the Church is doing the work
of reformation, it might as well do it thoroughly.
Hence one party urges that the present
is a grand opportunity for the reforma-
tion of the Church and the revision of the
Prayer Book in a thoroughly Protestant sense. "It
is not unlikely that these will make their voices
heard in the coming conferences and discussions."
The Bishop of Down and Connor has intimated his
intention to call a meeting of the clergy and laity
for Friday, the 20th of August, to consider their
position, and the necessity of organising a lay and
clerical diocesan synod.
Meanwhile, the clergy and laity seem to have
agreed upon a truce to controversy pending the action
of the bishops; but some isolated voices cannot
restrain themselves from utterance. The Rev. 11.
M. Archdall expresses the opinion that the necessity
for reassembling the National Conference of last
April is unquestionable. The Conference cannot be
a representative body or a governing body. "But
elected and national and characterised as it was by
moderation and unanimity, and representing all
shades of opinion in the Church, its deliberations
could not fail to assist in arriving at a sound con-
clusion as to the proper steps to be taken, and the
best course to pursue. And it has this special re-
commendation, that it affords the only means of
taking counsel together without delay."
It is to be regretted that this sensible talk is but
as a voice calling in a wilderness of bigotry, bad
logic, anal worse sense. One gentleman urges that
the prayer for the High Court of Parliament be at
once discontinued. How can treacherous, traitorous,
and godless M.P.'s expect to be prayed for ? A
" Vir Obscurus"—what a pity that he ever emerged
from his obscurity—pours forth a cataract of
absurdity about the hypocrisy of Scotch mem-
bers, the falsehood of Roman Catholics, and
the Queen's misinterpretation of the Coronation Oath.
"A Northern Dignitary "—a dignitary without dig-
nity seemingly—entreats his brethren "to cut all
connection with the Church of England, steeped as it
is in semi-Popery, Ritualism, and Rationalism. Let
us join ourselves to the American Episcopal Church,
which is not ashamed to adopt the name of Protes-
tant, which has never been assumed by that degraded
Church of England." Finally, another correspondent
deems it needful to express his belief that the Lords
have committed suicide, and that the Hereditary
Chamber is tottering to its fall. But some signs of
peace and goodwill make themselves manifest. The
Orange Lublin Mail admits that " our Roman
Catholic fellow-countrymen have shewn no unkindly
disposition towards their Protestant neighbours
in their season of humiliation," and even that lion,
ex-mayor O'Sullivan, expresses a desire to lie down
with the lamb. He has just proposed and carried
in the Cork Corporation a resolution to petition
Parliament against the celebrations in the North so
offensive to Catholics.