The Sun.
London, England, 1844-12-27 00:00:00

lIJ tenta t kint

LONDON, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1844.

The Charge of the Bishop of WORCESTER which
he delivered on Monday last to the candidates for
ordination at their final examination, is a document
which it is impossible to peruse without the most un-
feigned satisfaction, breathing, as it does in every sen-
tence, a spirit of the sincerest piety, and sedulously
keeping within the pale of judgment and common
sense. The Right Reverend Prelate is strenuously
opposed to the sayings and doings of the Tractarian
heretics, which, he is persuaded, are calculated to
alienate the affections of the clergy from the laity,
and thus to inflict a deadly blow on the Church, which
necessarily depends, not only for its usefulness, but
for its very security, on its power to retain unim-
paired its hold on the affections of the people.
Alluding to the state of the Establishment previously
to the publication of the notorious Oxford Tracts, the
Bishop remarks that it is scarcely possible to point
out a period when the prosperity and efficiency of
the Church were more signally conspicuous. An in-
creased degree of zeal, he says, and a more entire de-
votion to their sacred functions were manifest among
the clergy ; and not only did the most perfect har-
mony exist between them and the laity, but the lat •
ter evinced their sincere reverence for the spi-
ritual and temporal interests of the Establish-
ment by contributing in a most munificent,
unhesitating, and ungrudging spirit to the
erection of new churches and the endowment
of various religious institutions. " Divine service,"
adds the Bishop, " was performed in strict accordance
with the general directions of the Rubric ; schools
were multiplied ; the great truths of the everlasting
Gospel were more distinctly and generally preached ;
and such was the impression gradually made on
those who had separated from us, by such in-
creased zeal and activity, on the part of our
clergy, that in several dioceses, not only Dissenting
ministers, but whole congregations of Dissenters
joined our communion." Such was the con-
dition of the Church immediately previous to the
issuing of the mischievous Oxford Tracts. But such
is its condition no longer. The Tractarian schisma-
tics have succeeded in scattering far and wide the
seeds of dissension, and in throwing not a few of the
laity into the arms of Dissent, who—but for the pre-
valence of such heresy among many of the clergy—
would never have dreamed of quitting the church of
their forefathers. But the dawn of a more auspicious
day is at hand. The clouds are slowly breaking
away in the East, and we trust, ere long, that the full,
undimmed meridian sun of peace and prosperity will
again shine on the Establishment. Tractarianism—not-
withstanding the exertions in its favour made by Doctor
PHILLPOTTS, and the trimming evasive conduct of
CHARLES JAMES LONDON, who would be a Tractarian
if he dared—is manifestly verging to its decline. It has
been too cunning for its own interests. It has be-
trayed the cloven foot too soon. In a word, it has
overshot its mark ; and the consequence is, that all
the more prudent ministers of the Church and the
laity have begun to take the alarm, and to speak out
in bold, indignant disapproval of the heresy. The
Bishop of WORCESTER'S Charge is the last,
but not the least effective, blow that has
been inflicted on it, and we trust it will be
speedily followed up by other Church dignitaries•
Doctor PEPYS is decidedly hostile to the innovations
recommended by Doctor PHILLPOTTS in his Pastor:l
Letter ; and in reference to the surplice question,
which has of late created such a ferment throughout
the diocese of Exeter, he justly observes that what
is in itself insignificant acquires importance when it
s considered as the badge of a party, and when on
this account it becomes a stumbling-block and an
offence to others. On this ground, the Right Rev.
Prelate advises his clergy to continue the practice
which has so long prevailed, of preaching in their
academical habit, even though by so doing they de-
viate from the precise directions of the Rubric. His
Lordship then proceeds to give his reasons for this
advice, which, to our thinking, are perfectly conclu-
sive and unanswerable. But it is scarcely neces-
sary to enlarge further on the subject of the
surplice, for Dr. PHILLPOTTS—as our readers
are aware—has already withdrawn his ordinance
on the question. But seven brief days since,
and who more firm or dogmatic than he was
in insisting on the promptest and fullest obedience
being paid to his sovereign will and pleasure in this
respect. Now, he himself is the first to acknowledge—
indirectly, indeed, for it is hardly to be expected that
he would directly condemn himself—that he may
have been a little too precipitate ; and graciously per
mits his clergy, in deference to public opi
nion, to abandon the wear of the ob

noxious surplice during the sermon ! Having
confessedly been rash in issuing this particular
order, should not the ghostly Bishop suspect that he
may have been equally rash in issuing his other rubrical
ordinances, and doubt the wisdom and the policy of

his persisting in their enforcement ? We suspect that

it will not be very long ere he finds himself compelled
to retract the majority, if not the whole, of the pre-

posterous injunctions as regards obsolete usages—
obsolete, because worthless—contained in his "Pas-

toral Letter!"

Madrid papers, of the 19th and 20th, have arrived.
On the 19th the Chamber of Deputies passed the first
article of the Bill relative to the conversion of the
claims of the contructistas into Three per Cent. Stock
by a majority of 132 against 9. That article was to
the following effect :
" The House approves the conversion into titles of the
Consolidated Three per Cent. Debt of the credits and
claims accruing from contracts, of advances of funds,
Treasury bills, inscriptions of the Floating Debt, cen-
tralized, and of bills on the Treasury of the Havannah,
also proceeding from contracts, in the terms and ac-
cording to the rate fixed in the royal decrees of the 26th
of June, 13th of September, and 9th of October, in the
present year."
An amendment had been moved by the Marquis
DE MONTEVIRGEN and three other Deputies to the
second article, tending to establish the claims to in-
demnity of the lay-owners of tithes, who had been
deprived of their rights by the suppression of that
tax. The Minister of Finance admitted the justice of
the demand, but observed, that it would be the object
of a special project of law, which he intended to pre-
sent to the Chamber in the course of the session. On
this assurance M. DE MONTEVIRGEN consented to
withdraw the amendment; but those who had signed
it with him insisting on its being put from the chair,
It was lost by only one voice, .52 voting against it, and
51 in its favour.

The Bill passed on the 20th. In the Senate the
debate on the "Reform Bill" commenced, but nothing
of any consequence occurred in the course of the
debate. The settlement of the question respecting an
hereflibry peerage is the one looked forward to with
any interest.
A letter from Victoria states that General 'Liu-
atuur, celebrated as " El Pastor," has just died in
that town. /le was one of the most celebrated of
those guerilla chiefs whose perils and adventure;

during the course of the civil war which so long dis-
tracted Spain are so extraordinary as to appear al-
most fabulous. General JAUREGUY particularly
distinguished himself during the civil war in the
Basque Provinces from the death of FERDINAND
VII., in 1833, to the Convention of Bergara, in
August, 1839.
M. DoNozo CORTES has ithdrawn his resignation
of the office of QUEEN'S Secretary.
MADRID BOLSA, DEC. 20.—Three per Cents. 32
cash, 32i at 60 days, thirty-nine millions done ;hive
per Cents. 22i at 60 days, fifty millions done ; Float-
ing Debt, 77 at 30 days; Coupons, 26 at 60 days ;
Passive, 6a at 60 days, with premium.

The French papers of Wednesday and Thursday
have been received. The Chambers were opened on
Thursday, by the KING in person. The Royal speech
on the occasion will be found in another column. The
Opposition papers are full of bitter attacks on M.
GUIZOT and his policy. The Constitutionnel not only
attacks him, but foretells the manner in which he
will defend himself. It says—
" We have stated that in the approaching session the
Ministry intended to make a great use of silence. Accord-
ing to the reports which were in circulation in the Salle
des Conf6rences, the following is the manner in which
this system is to be applied to the principal political ques-
tions:—lf interrogated on the right of search, M. Guizot
will reply once more that he negotiates. The affirma-
tion will be deemed but little likely, for how can it be
believed that what has not been obtained after conver-
sations at Windsor, can be accorded on an exchange
of simple notes ? Besides, the English Cabinet may
be questioned on its side, and the replies agreed on be-
tween Lord Aberdeen and M. Guizot may undergo such
changes from the discussion in one of the two Parlia-
ments, that the truth shall appear with a superfluous
eclat. However, whilst waiting for such incidents, M.
Guizot hopes to get out of the business by declaring that
the question is pendent, and that he cannot state any-
thing until the conclusion, more or less remote. On the
question of secondary instruction, it is difficult to be
completely silent. M. Guizot will allow M. Villemain
and M. Martin (du Nord) to act in contrary senses at
their own risk and peril. For himself he will assume
the part of a philosophical speaker, or will even refrain
completely, retrenching himself behind the excuse of his
being a Protestant. The Pritchard indemnity will ne-
cessarily call for explanations. However it has been
arranged that the affair shall not be directly submitted
to the votes of the Chamber. Admirals Hamelin
and Seymour are charged with the task of settling
the matter on the spot. Until their return, it will be de-
clared, that although the principle of the indemnity is
admitted, yet the justice and the nature of the reparation
cannot be really appreciated until after the statement on
both sides of the damage done, and the Chamber will be
informed that it will have to pronounce on the question
anew when a credit shall be demanded. The difficulty
will be attempted to be evaded by this postponement,
with the design of pretending, at a later period, that
approbation was given in principle to the conduct of the
Ministry. To such persons as shall speak of the treaty
of Tangiers, they will reply by the word Isly, and they
will ascend to the capitol on the shoulders of Marshal
Bugeaud. It is expected that the majority will lend
itself to this system of tactics, and thus the session will
offer us the spectacle of Ministers eluding discussions
before a complaisant assembly ; that would be, in M.
Guizot's opinion, the perfection Of representative go-
vernment. But can such perfection be attained?"
M. GUIZOT held his first levee on Tuesday. It was
numerously attended by the newly-arrived Coricierva-
five Deputies ; but it was remarked that neither
DUPIN nor M. SAUZET, the two candidates for the
Presidency, were among the number. Lord COWLEY
did not attend, on account of the death of Lady A.
CULLING SMITH.. The other Ambassadors and Minis-
ters resident in Paris were almost all present.
The Opposition party are also preparing for the
strife, on Wednesday there were no less than three
meetings of Deputies, to consider the question of the
Presidency. The Ministerislists, the centre gauche,
or THIERS party, and the gauche or ODILLON BARROT
party, all held meetings. It is now said that the
centre gauche has some idea of starting M. ODILLON
BARROT, but it is not probable that he will become
seriously a candidate.

The election of M. SAUZET to the Presidency of
the Chambers is considered as certain.

On Christmas-dwy at TORTONI'S very little business
was done. The French Three per Cents. were at
851. 55c. to 851. 60c. A good deal was done in the
Spanish Funds : Actives, 27f, Three per Cents. 381,
Coupons, 26f to it.

A letter from Bologna says that a report is cur
rent there that M. CAPACCINI will be made a Car•
dinal in the Consistory, which is to be held nQx,
month, and appointed Secretary of State, in the plac(
of Cardinal Liquauscutra.