The Sun.
London, England, 1869-03-17 00:00:00

LAY AGENCY.

On Tuesday evening a conference was held at the Pim-
lico Rooms, Warwick-street, Ecclestou-square, for the
purpose of enabling the lay helpers in the diocese of
Loudon to take measures for making better provision for
the south-western districts of the metropolis. The especial
object proposed for consideration was "The organisation
under the bishop of voluntary lay agency in the work of
the Church."
The Bishop of London took the chair at eight o'clock,
and was supported by Mr. J. G. Talbot, M.P., Sir T.
Waller, Archdeacon Jennings, Canon Conway, Preben•
dary Marshall, the Rev. B. Belcher, Mr. J. A. Shaw
Stewart, Mr. Spottiswcode, Major Gleig; the Rev. J.
Oakley, the Rev. C. W. Page, and other gentlemen.
The Bishop of LONDON, in opening the p►oceedings,
aid the object of the conference was to enable people who
were interested in the matter to exchange their views on
the subject.
Mr. J. M. CLABON, solicitor, of Great, George•street,

:hen read a short paper. He was of opinion that iv
every parish there should be a mission-house, which
should be near to every poor man's house, and to which
his family might resort. At present it was a we.l-
- fact that three.fourths of the inhabitants
of this metropolis never entered any church or chapel at
cll. The average population of each parish was 8,000,
and if one fourth of these were regarded as Nonconfor-
mists, that would leave 6,000 to every incumbent ; and if
there happened to be a curate in the parish, that would.
leave 3,000 to each of them. He denounced the pew
system. To provide additional teachers, he thought that
fit persons might be set apart by a semi-ordination, by a
special service which would not bind them as the clergy
were. Mr. Clabon deprecated extremes of any kind in
parish churches. Everything, he believed, would depend
upon the intimate union of clergy and laity .throughout
the country.
The Rev. Canon CONWAY expressed his opinion that the
Church of England was in an unhealthy state because the
great principle of lay agency was neglected. The Church
had lost the poor because no proper agency had been pro-
vided for them. For the last 20 years the Church of
England had bad the education of the children pretty much
altogether in her own hands; and yet no more adults came
to church now than came at the commencement of that
atudffitchieenctoncasergeuwenacsenwoast takenthat
aosfsotohiei cashicldrhilednreinn
church,perio
were free from the engagements of school they ceased to
go to church.

Mr. J. G. TALBOT, M.P., assured the bishop that it was
not the clergy alone who desired the extension of the
Church in London, for the laity were becoming more and
more alive to the dangers which surrounded them. He
was strongly of opinion that the difficulties which existed
could be met by the clergy alone, and that the evil must
go on increasing unless the laity generally came to theft
aid. He thought that on looking to the Roman Catholics
on the one band, and the Protestant Dissenters on the
other, they must confess with shame that they had both
secured a system of organisation of which the Church of
England was not in possession.
Mr. E. A. FITZROY was anxious that the poor should be
induced to go to church. In that case there would be no
occasion for lay preachers.
The Rev. A. J. D'ORSEY said that there were 150 or 200
clergymen in the diocese who bad nothing to do on
Sundays, and who would gladly give help if they were
asked.

The Rev. J. OAKLEY suggested that all names of lay
helpers at present engaged in the diocese should be sent in.
so that there might be a thorough organisation. There
were two Nonconformist chapels in London in which
£lO,OOO a year was collected in the offertory for external
purposes. Nothing like that had been obtained in any
churches belonging to the Church of England.
The Bishop of LONDON, in closing the meeting, expresses
the deep satisfaction he felt in seeing so much interest in
lay agency. Sixteen years ago he was acquainted with the
agency which at that time existed in London, and was
delighted to find that it had so greatly increased, owing, he
believed, to the great exertions of his predecessor in the
see of London. To a great extent the duties of laity and
clergy in the work of the Church were nearly identical,
and the solemn questions at the judgment in reference to
Christian charity would be put to laity and clergy alike.
Ho could not understand any clergyman refusing lay
help ; indeed, it was the duty of the clergy to solicit
parochial assistance from the laity. His lordship passed
a high eu'ogium on real sisters of mercy, ladies who,
although they might not have worn the dress, bad been
engaged actively in the visitation of the Poor. He was
glad to find that men also were now feeling their respon-
sibilities, and were urging others to assist them in the
work. Many clergymen had 8,000 or 10,000 people in
their parishes to attend to, and it was impossible for
them to discharge their duties with anything like success
unless they obtained the co-operation of the faithful
laity. He did not think that for ordinary work carried on
by the laity any actual commission need be given, but to
those who had any high work to perform, such as conduct-
ing services, there ought to be some direct sanction. In
such cases he would issue a commission to perform such
duties as the clergy might require of them. He thought,
too, that such commissior. ought to be accompanied by
some simple service in the church.

Her Royal Highness the Princess Louise
honoured Miss Garrett, L.S.A., of Upper Berkeley-street,
with a visit a few days since. Her Royal Highness made
some inquiries respecting the prospects of medical educa-
tion for women in this country, and expressed much sym-
pathy with Miss Garrett's wish to see the medical profes-
sion completely opened to women.

DEATH OP A MILITARY VETERAN.—The Hon.
W. E. Cochrane, a son of the ninth Earl of Dundonald,
has just died. He was born in 1781. Ile entered the
15th (King's) Hussars in 1801, with which regiment he
was present as major at Sahagun, in Sir John Moore's
expedition in 1808, for which he received a medal. He
also received a clasp for Vittoria, where he commanded
the Duke of Wellington's body guard. He is succeeded by
his only son, William Marshall Cochrane, major Ist Lanark
Militia, and lieutenant-colonel 2nd Administrative batta-
lion 2nd Surrey Rifle Volunteers.

THE SMOKE NUISANCE.—The Corporation of
Bradford are attempting to check the smoke nuisance ir•
the neighbourhood of that town, and on Tuesday the
Bowling Iron Company were summoned for having
allowed dense smoke to he vomited from the chimneys at
their extensive works. There are twelve chimneys at the
works, from furnaces under boilers used for generating
steam to drive steam-engines, and it was for the nuisance
caused by these, and not from the furnaces themselves, that
the information was laid. '1 he magistrates made an order
ter the abgement of the nuisance in six months. •

-p p
IN PERIAL

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THis DAY.

The SPEAR :ER. took the chair at 12 o'clock.
On the motion of Mr. T. CHAMBER'S, a new writ w 0.3
ordered for the courtly of Dumfries, in the room of Sir
Sydney Hedlew Watnrlow, who has been declarel disqua-
lified from taking hi. seat.

Mr. NORWOOD postponed the second reading of the
Admiralty Jurisdiction (County Courts) Bill until the
Judicature Commissioners had presented their report.
Mr. NO ftW 000 moved the second reading of the County
Courts Bill, and explained that its object was to relieve
manufacturers and wholesale traders from the hardships
imposed on them by a change in the County Coin is Act
of 1867, which requires that in all &Aims for debts under
£5O the action should be brought in the County Courts
of the district in which the defendant resided. The
bill proposes that where goads wore sold and delivered
below £5O in value the plaintiff should be entitled to
bring his action in the court of his own district, but, on
an application to the r, gistrar c.f his county court by the
defendant, the plaintiff should b 3 bound to •give s.:,curity
for the costs of the defendant.

Sir F. GOLDSMID strongly objected to any altera-
tion in thelaw as it now stood, and moved that the bill be
read a second time that day six months.

Mr. W. WILLIAMS seconded the motion.
[LEFT SITTING.]

OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE BOA 7 RACE.

THIS DAY.

The brutal and barbarous recreations of bygone
days with their deanralising influences have passed
away, and, with the march of civilisation, have been
succeeded by those of a more healthful and innocent
character. In the rapid progress of manly and
athletic sports which has taken place during the
last few years, none may claim to greater advance..
ment than rowing. Boating has of late years so
considerably enlarged its limits that it is really
difficult to say where it will end, a circumstance
readily accounted for by the maritime supremacy
of our country. As it has in war " held the mastery
over the flood," Si has its sons in peace cultivated
the sports in which its noble rivers have invited
them to indulge, until there is hardly a canal or
basin but can boast of its rowing club, while the
increasing popularity of aquatic sports powerfully
conduces to foster them. Time was when they
were few in number ; time is when by their yearly
multiplication the sedentary and the laborious, the
rich and poor alike seek refreshment of mind and
body in this vigorous and healthful pastime.
We are led to these remarks as an introduction
to the Oxfoad and Cambridge boat race, its early
rise and rapid advancement in popular apprecia-
tion. So celebrated, and at the same time so
eminently aristocratic, this race has attained a
popularity and importance commensurable with the
condition of the competitors; it ushers in the sea-
son with its powerful attraction, and ex:rcises a
marked influence over the forthcoming aquatic
year. The interest and anxiety which it occasions
is shared in common by all classes, who anticipate
its approach with pride and admiration, and up to
the hour of deciding the hopes and fears that have
so long prevailed it increases in intensity. The
prestige belonging to it is only equalled by that of
a Derby ; and it not only basks in the sunshine of
popular favour, but has twice within the last five
years been honoured by the presence of Royalty.

Up to 1860 there were three races in favour o:
Cambridge, and then came a sad reverse,

"Sin transit gloria mundir
from that time to the present they have yearly been
worsted; change in trainer; change somewhat in
style, and change of boats have produced no change
in their fortunes ; they have been annually de-
feated, and yet with indomitable courage have they
annually made another effort to retrieve their lost
laurels. They have again and again nearly gained
the palm, but the cup has been dashed from their
lips at the very moment they had anticipated a
taste of its sweetness ; and last year was the sorest
discomfiture of their manifold reverses. They were
beaten easily, and though so vanquished came for-
ward again, and undismayed threw down the
gauntlet, which, we need hardly say, vas rapidly
accepted, and the following crews represented the
respective Universities :

OXFORD.

st. lb.
1. S. H. Woodhouse, University ll 0
2. R. Tahourdin, St. Juhn's ll 12
3. T. S. Rtizer, Queen's
4. F. Wiltan, Exeter
5. J. C. Fiume, University

6. A. C. 1 arborougli, Lincoln ll 12

7. W. D. Benson, Balliol
8. S. D. Darbishire, Balliol
D. A. Neilson, St. John's (cox.) 7 10
CA3IBRIDGE.

st. lb.
1. A. Rushton, Emmanuel
2. J. H. Ridley, Jesus ll 10
3. J. W. Dale, St. John's
4. F. J. Young, Christ's l2 4
5. W. F. 3l'Michael, Downing
6. W. H. Anderson, Trinity ll 5
7. J. H. Hill, Caius
8. H. D. Goldie, St. John's
H. E. Gordon, Trinity (cox.) 7 9

To expatiate upon the exertions of the president,
in the task of selecting the above, or to follow them
through the maiza of training would be to occupy
space too precious to this season to be bestowed un-
necessarily, and to inflict upon the reader details in
which be would take but little interest. Fashion in
everything bears sovereign sway, and it has been
the fashion of late years to back Oxford to win, at
odds, even before their crew had been determined
on, and this fashion was not departed from in the
present instance. With the advance of training
speculation gradually became more important and
significant. Investments on the race were, as usual,
very considerable. The Oxonians were the favou-
rites, the price varying from 6 to 4 up to 2 to 1,
according to the confidence of the backers.

Since the afternoon of the 4th inst., both crews
have been at Putney, and have been daily visited
by old University friends, and the public in general
who like the crews have experienced very change-
able weather; four days ago, too, a change oc-
curred in the Cambridge boat, but for the better.
Mr. J. Still, late president, took the place of Mr.
Mellor, who fell sick and went home. The time at
length arrives; the Thames Conservancy and police
have made such arrangements as are calculated
to tend to the general comfort and convenience to
the public. Although the price of a steamboat for
the occasion was monstrously high, yet there were
about the usual number, and tugs innumerable
filled with company, besides the usual legion of
small row boats.

The start is fixed for half-past 3, but it is very
doubtful whether tho crew will actually get off be-
fore 4. A strong force of police is posted at Ham-
mersmith, and no persons or carriages are allowed
to stop on the roadway of the Suspension Bridge.
The attendance of the public on the banks of the
river, the different bridges, and other well-known
points of view are as great as on any former occa-
sion.

Mr. J. W. Chitty, of Exeter College, Oxford,
will officiate as umpire from the Citizen steamer,
letter T, Lotus, a fast and roomy boat.
(To be continued in a later edition.)