The Sun.
London, England, 1845-01-13 00:00:00

THE BISHOP OF EXETER AND

HIS DIOCESE.

PLYMOUTH, JAN. 9.—The feeling which exists in the
minds of the laity of Plymouth, Stonehouse, and De-
vonport, against the changes which have been introduced
in the ceremonial of the service of the Church is, if any-
thing, stronger than amongst the laity of Exeter.
From circumstances—Prom many of the church-goers
here having been won from the ranks of the Dissenters
by the erection of proprietary churches, and from the
churches being generally supported by the letting of
pews, a feeling of independence and voluntaryism (if I
may use the word) strongly pervades many of the laity;
and the clergy, with but one or two exceptions, are
what are termed " Low Church" in doctrine, but are ge-
nerally popular, and allied in feeling with the laity.
With a clergy and a laity holding such opinibms, it
may well be conceived that the recent innovations in the
Church service are viewed with dislike and distrust, and
with much jealousy of their ultimate object.
Immediately after the publication of the pastoral letter
of the Bishop, enjoining the observance of the obnoxious
changes, and an exact fulfilment of the rubrics, a public
meeting of the inhabitants of Plymouth was held at the '
Royal Hotel, at which resolutions expressive of attach-
ment to the Church, but of " alarm and disgust at the
recent attempts at innovation in its ceremonial, the ten-
dency of which they believed to be an approximation to
the obnoxious practices of the Church of Rome," were
passed. This meeting was followed by vestry meetings
in the different parishes, at which similar resolutions
were agreed to. Similar meetings were also held at
Devonport, at all of which the same strong feeling of
determined resistance to the introduction of these inno-
vations was expressed.
About the same time a meeting of the clergy of the
deanery of Plympton was held, for the purpose of re-
ceiving the pastoral letter of the Bishop. Those of the
clergy in that division of the diocese who were inclined
to the doctrines of the innovators wished that some ar-
rangement should be immediately entered into, for the
purpose of the general and immediate adoption of the
surplice, and for complying with the wishes of the Bishop.
On the other side, the clergy opposed to these changes
wished for delay, in the hope and expectation that some
alteration would take place in the order of the Bishop ;
and by a majority of four or five the consideration of
the pastoral letter was postponed till Tuesday last, the
7th instant.

On Tuesday the clergy of the deanery of Plympton
again met at the George Inn, Ridgway ; the Rev. John
Allen. rector of North Huish, Rural Dean, in the chair.
Twenty-seven of the clergy of the deanery were present.
A series of resolutions were proposed by the Rev. W.
Coppard, of the parish of Plympton, embodying—first,
an expression of respect for the episcopal office, with an
earnest desire to comply, as far as possible, with all the
lawful injunctions of the diocesan ; and, secondly, that
in consideration of the aspect of the times, and in anti-
cipation of some measures being brought before them
from authority, it be respectfully urged upon the Bishop
to allow the clergy of the tleanery to exercise their own
discretion with regard to the use of the rubrics, assuring
his Lordship that they would adhere to them as strictly
as they felt themselves empowered to do.
To these resolutions an amendment was proposed by
the Rev. William Oxenham, vicar of Modbury, to the
effect that the thanks of the clergy of the deanery be
presented to the Bishop for his recent pastoral letter,
with the expression of their determination to render im-
plicit obedience to all his Lordship's oommands, in con-
sideration of the solemnity of their ordination vows and
oaths ; and further expressing the dissatisfaction felt by
the clergy at the course pursued by the laity during the
recent agitation.
A conversation on the resolutions and amendment
then ensued, of several hours' duration, in which the
Rev. John Hatchard, vicar of St. Andrew's, Plymouth ;
the Rev. G. F. Wedbaurne, of Charles Chapel, Ply-
mouth ; the Rev. John Child, minister of St. Paul's,
Stonehouse ; the Rev. H. G. Greaves, minister of St.
George's, Stonehouse, and several ether clergymen,
spoke in favour of the resolutions.
The Rev. E. F. Coke, of Plymstock ; the Rev. J. C.
Street, curate of Charles, Plymouth, and others, sup-
ported the amendment.

The Rev. Mr. IbacstAnD said, that he felt it was
utterly impossible for him, as a man of common in
tegrity, to render thanks to the Bishop of Exeter for
his pastoral letter, the effect of which had been almost
to rend the Church asunder, and to produce the most
serious and detrimental consequences to her best in-
terests. He at the same time stated his conviction
that his Lordship was influenced by the best and
purest intentions, although it was perfectly manifest
from the result that he had fallen into a grievous
error With regard to obedience to his diocesan, he
could confidently appeal to all his brethren by whom
he was surrounded that he ever had made it, and ever
would make it, his great object to obey every godly ad-
monition, and Avery lawful and ghostly command. He
strongly deprecated the enforcement of all the rubrical
laws, inasmuch as he eonoeived the tendency of some of
them to be to restore Popish practices, and to give deep
offence to the great body of th© laity, who constituted
that Church of which the clergy were the ministers. If
the rubrics were to he restored, it seemed to him to be
inconsistent to restore them in part and not as a whole ;
for it must be borne in mind that there were many
rubrics which still formed part of the laws of the Church
of England, which were not printed in the Common
Prayer-book, but which would be found at full length in
‘‘ Gibson' s' Codex," In illustrating his views of the
Popish tendency of these rubrics, tho Rev. Gentleman
particulurly referred to the use of the alb, and trope, and
tunicle, by the clergy in the discharge of their official
duties. With regard to the course
o ate every e
ptltued by the laity,
pwrheiolse
ohne
thatily no
iign
he at nhsaavteteticepeteci t vindic.x-,
fl used, or every resolution
ilthaacit bileaednbeen
he
p"se,d, at the various meetings which
)et most heartily thanked God that
so w„ide-spread a Pro
he feeling had burst forth; and
he felt assured that ZO ceed the years hence those who would suc-
m would look back with feelings of thankfulness
t°loio great efforts which had been made by the laity
generally.
A !Amber of the clergy present briefly expressed simi-
lar views.
114. e. Bev. W. OxENnext addressed himself chiefly in
piez gW observations of Zr. Hatc,hard. Ile strongly

urged that the resolutions did not go far enough, parti-
cularly on the point of clerical obedience._.__ -- -
The meeting throughout was of the most stormy
character. Oa both sides very strong expressions were
used, which in some instances partook of acrimonious
personality. Charges of leaning to Calvinism and
Dissent were made against some, and of Remish views
against others.
At length a division took place on the resolutions,
the numbers being—for the resolutions 15, for the
amendment 12. ____
It was then determined to hold a third meeting on
Monday, the 10th of February next, for the purpose of
comparing notes as to the extent to which the rubrics
are observed or negleeted in the different churches and
chapels of the deanery; and also in the expectation
that by that time some notice may have been given in
Parliament of what is intended on the whole question,
from which the clergy may be enabled to draw some
conclusions.
In the meantime no changes whatever have taken
place in the service as performed in the churches in the
deanery.
The above brief report gives an outline of the feeling
of the clergy in this deanery.
With regard to the laity, the feeling is shortly this—
they look upon theßishop as an extremely acute and
sagacious man; but from past experience they think him
insincere, and distrust him. They suspect him of a covert
design in introducing these changes, to increase his own
power and influence, and that of his order, even the laity.
Tey suspect him of seeking to establish absolute priestly
rule over the minds of the people (to adopt the expres-
sion of one informant), "for every bishop in his diocese,
for every rector in his parish, and for every curate at a
tea-party." "Since the commencement of the contro-
versy, the clergy in various places had ceased to use the
black gown, and had adopted the surplice in preaching,
with a view, he believed, concurrently with the operation
of the other parts of their system, to obtain an ascen-
dancy over the minds of the people by means inconsis-
tent with that religion, the essence of which was the
worship of God in spirit and in truth." This is the
general and deeply-rooted feeling of the laity. They
say—" We are not at all afraid or the Bishop and those
of his clergy who carry out his views ipso facto adopting
the tenets of Rome, and acknowledging papal supremacy;
but by whatever name you call it, what we are afraid of
is, the attempted establishment of priestly domination,
the aggressive graspings of power and influence by the
clergy; and these we are determined we will not submit
to. Your ceremonies are meant to abuse and influence
the minds of the laity to your authority; your offertory
collections are meant to give you power by placing un-
controlled in your hands the means of carrying out any
object you may will, even in direct opposition to our
feelings. We distrust you, and we are determined we
will have none of these changes." Such, in a few words
may be said to be the feelings of the laity.
So far is this suspicion and belief of a covert design to
grasp at power on the part of the Bishop generally
entertained, that the churchwardens of the several
parishes of the deanery of Kirrier, in Cornwall, at a
meeting held at Helston, on the 23d of last month,
amongst ethers adopted the following resolution :
"5. That, in the opinion of this meeting, the neces-
sity for episcopal interference in the present case (if
such there be) has been created by the Bishop of the
diocese himself, who has privately encouraged several of
his clergy holding Tractarian 'doctrines to introduce
obsolete and long-forgotten observances, with the inten-
tion of furnishing himself with an excuse for interposing
his authoriiy. And this meeting is moreover of opinion
that the Bishop was well aware that such innovations
were not acceptable either to the clergy or the laity,
and that, therefore, he shrank from introducing them on
his own responsibility until he could furnish himself
with a pretext for interfering in the character of a
mediator."
If one asks for instances bearing out the charge that
there is a degree of insincerity, or, to avoid as far as
possible every harsh expression, an under-current of
feeling, a hidden motive of action influencing the Bishop
in his public conduct in his diocese, which is not the ap-
parent motive, one is immediately answered by some
half-dozen notorious public ac's of this kind. You are
told that he approved the letting of pews in the parish
churches of Plymouth as a means of avoiding the
penal) ve.rata of a church-rate. In a decision a few
years ago, in which his Lordship was called on to decide
this very question, arising out of a demand by the Go-
vernor of the garrison of Plymouth to have free church
accommodation provided for him, the Bishop is said to
have expressed his unqualified approbation of the means
adopted of supporting the fabric of the church by letting
pews without exciting animosity in the parish on the
question of church-rates, althcugh he decided in favour
of the Governor's demand. Last January the same
Bishop, in the strongest language, denounced the prac-
tice of pew-letting as a robbery of the poor of their
rights, which he would no longer permit, without the
slightest previous intimation to either the churchwardens
or the vicar that he saw reason to object to the practice.
Again, one is referred to a former charge of the Bishop, in
which, speaking of the Methodists, ho said, " I regard
the Wesleyans as scarcely a dissenting body, there is
but a thin and almost imperceptible line between them,
and us;" but of these he has recently' stated, not being
members of the Church for whom there is a covenant of
merry for their salvation, they are left " to the uncove.
nanted mercies of God." These and many other in-
stances are given of a direct change of opinion, for which
at the time there were apparent political motives, and
which excite distrust. At the same time it is thought
that he is far too acute and sagacious either to express
change of opinion, or to sanction and enjoin any change,
however trifling, without ample consideration of its pro-
bable effect, and without having a definite object in view;
whilst many are, perhaps, uncharitable enough to sup-
pose that that alteration of expressed opinion, or that in-
junction of change, has not proceeded from the sincere
conviction of its necessity, but from a determination to
carry out a design. They ask suspiciously, " Why hes
the Bishop only just discovered the necessity of the strict
observance of the rubrics failing in nothing,' 'after
quietly permitting their partial observance only, accord-
ing to long usage, for fifteen years as Bishop ? Why
this new-born zeal ? We know the Bishop, though he
thinks he deceives us. What is the policy beneath the
surface ? We think it is a covert attempt to obtain in-
creased power and influence; and we will have no Pro-
testant priestly domination."

ST. SIDWELLS AND ST. JAMES.
At a meeting of the parishoners of St. Sidwells and
St. James, Exeter, held the 9th day of January, 1845,
pursuant to a requisition to the churchwardens, signed
by a large number of parishioners, " to consider the
course to be adopted respecting the continued use of the
surplice by the clergymen of the above parishes," Mr.
W. Jackson in the chair,
On the motion of Mr. W. W. HOOPIR, seconded by
Mr. C. HILL, it was unanimously resolved--
" That this meeting observe with feelings of the
deepest pain and regret, that the ministers of St. Sid-
wells and St. James still continue the use, of the surplice
in the pulpit, thus setting themselves in direct opposition
to the wishes of their parishioners, thereby producing
discord and strife where peace and unity alone ought to
be found, and this, too, notwithstanding the withdrawal
of so much of the order as related to the use of the sur-
plice by the Lord Bishop of the diocese.
" That this meeting readily admit, that the use of the
surplice in the pulpit was introduced before the present
ministers were appointed ; and, that although at its first
introduction it produced much dissatisfaction, yet no re-
monstrance against its use was at that time openly made,
which we now most deeply regret, and more particularly
so, as our dislike to set ourselves in opposition to our
ministers on that occasion is now brought against us as
a reason for further submission, if not of the absolute
relinquishment of the right of private judgment.
"That this meeting now view the use of the
surplice
in the pulpit as a matter of deep importance, admitted,
as it is on all hands, to be the sign of a party in the
Church whose doctrines and proceedings we are of
opinion are calculated to undermine and destroy the
Protestant Church as by law established ; that it has
already caused many to decline attending Divine service,
the empty state of our churches fully prove ; and its
continuance will be followed by evils which will be de-
plored when it will be too late to remedy the mischief
produced.

" That this meeting', for the reasons before stated,
earnestly and respectfully request that their ministers
will discontinue the use of the surplice in the pulpit,
and also, that the service of the Church in all its parts
may be conducted in the manner it was performed be-
fore any of the recent changes were introduced, by
which means unity and peace may be again restored.
"That the churchwardens be requested to sign the ro.
solutions on behalf of the meeting, and present a copy
of them to the Rev. F. Courtenay and the Rev. P. Car.
lyon, and that this meeting bo adjourned to Saturday
next, at twelve o'clock at noon, to receive the answer of
the clergymen thereto.
" That these resolutions be pwrinatreddenasndofcisrctulsaitdeL3.
" JOFN JACKSON,I
Wardens of St. fames,"
" THOMAS WOOD,
L AI ELS;
I': CCU. Ain SWTIRL.

Tun CgoveN JEwELs.—The claim of the Ring of
Hanover to a large part of the Crown jewels will be
heard in the course of a few days. It has been referred
to the Lord Chancellor and two ether Learned Lords,
are to draw up a report for
who, after hearing counsel,
her Majesty's guidance. Sir Charles Weatherell will
appear for the King of Hanover
t h
and Sir Thomas Wilde (the Atto
r ne
eSyo. lGi cei
nt oerr
a- Gl ebeing
absent) for the Queen. There is no doubt that family
jewels belonging to the house of Hanover, to the amount
of 50,0001. or 60,0001., were brought over by George the
First, and have been mixed up with the English Crown
iawels; but, as they have been frequently re-set, it has
become impossible to identify them. It is said that the
royal personages concerned manifest an extreme anxiety
in the result.—Post.
EXIITER HALL—On Friday the Messiah was re-
peated by the Sacred Harmonic Society, at Exeter Hall,
and although it has been several times performed this
season by the same Society, at the same place, there
was on Friday evening a remarkably full and unequivo-
cally delighted audience. Madame C. Allan, Miss
Dolby, Mr. Manvers, and Mr. Machin, were the prin-
cipal vocalists ; and it is sufficient to state that they did
ample justice to their former exertions in this sublime
oratorio, and were continually rewarded by the
gratified auditory with hearty plaudits. Miss
Dolby was encored in the beautiful air, " Ile shall feed
his flock," which she executed with great taste and{
udgment. Madame C. Allan received a like compli-
ment in the air, " I know that my Redeemer livet.b.,
The recitative " Behold I tell you," and " The trumpet
shall sound," were most effective, and the trumpet obltio-
gato, by Mr. Harper, jun., was so ecetlilleentas
elicit the longest and loudest applause evening.
appeared to be in e.
'ormed, and the crowded audience
Indeed, the whole oratorio was most ofcredita_bly. pethr-
treat afforded.
utmost delight with tho musical

THEATRE ROYAL, DRURY-LANE.
THIS EVENING
'1 be repeatei a Grand Opera Soria, called THE DAUGHTER
T. MARK. Lusiroano, Mr. Burdini ; Andrea Comaro, Mr.
ikvearii ; :llonce-igo, Mr. Weis; Adolphe de Courcy, Mr. W.
tfr, icon ; at.rina ornaro, Miss
' • conclude with a Grand Comic Christmas Harlequinade, called
K'S PANTOMI3IE; or. HARLEQUIN AND ROBINSON
CIZUSOE. Robinson Crusoe. Mr. W. H. Payne; Harlequin, Mr.
Wieland ; Gown , Mr. T. Matthews ; Pantaloon, Mr. Howell ;
Ce-....abir,e, Miss Carson.
Bux-office is open daily, from Ten in the Morning until Six
m the Evening, where Private and Family Boxes, Stalls, Places,
and Tickets may be had on application to Mr. John Parsons.

THEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARILET.
Lessee, Mr. B. WEBSTER.
THIS EVENING
Will he performed a New and Original Comedy, in Five Acts,
called OLD HEADS AND YOUNG HEART& Colonel Rocket
air. S. rickland • Littleton Coke, Mr. Charles Mathes. s • Tom Coke
Mr. Webster; -Bob, Mr Buckstone ; Jesse Rural, Mr. W. Farren;
The Countess of i pion, Mrs. W. Clifford ; Lady Alice Hawthorn,
_4f,dame Vestris; Miss Rocket, Miss Julia isennett.
-kiter which, a New Grand Musical Fairy Extravaganza,
entitled GRACIOSA AND PERCINET. Ring Uxorious, Mr. J.
Bland ; Princess Graciosa, Miss Julia Bennett ; Percinet, Miss P.
Horton ; Duchess Grognon, Mrs. Stanley.
To conclude with a Grand MOVING DIORAMA; or, PIC.
CURIAL TOUR IN SWITZERLAND.

Private Boxes, Two Guineas andi Ono Guinea and a.Half each.
hckets and Places to be had of Mr. I. T. Ar cher, at the Box.ottice,
Prim "I'en till Five o'Clock.

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI.
Under the Direction of Madame CELESTE.
THIS EVENING

Will be repeated (by special permission of Charles Dickens, Esq.)
a New Drama, entitled THE CHIMES. A Goblin Story of Same
Bells that Rang an Old Year Out and a New Year In. Toby Veck,
Mr. O. Smith; Alderman Cute, Mr. Wright; Tugby, Mr. Wilkin-
son ; Sir Joseph Bowley, Bart Mr. Paul Bedford ; Will Fern, Mr.
Hudson; Richard, Mr. Selby; Meggy Veck, Miss Fortescue; Mrs.
Cbickenstalker, Mrs. Frank Matthews.

After which, NORMA, in which Miss Woelgar, Mr. Paul Bed-
ford, Mr. Wright, and Miss Reynolds will perform.
To conclude with a New Grand Military and Comic Christmas
Pantomime, called CAT'S CASTLE; or, Harlequin and the King
of the Rats. Harlequin, Mr. T. Ireland; Columbine, Min Lens-
dale ; Clown. Mr. C. J. Smith ; Pantaloon, Mr. Sanders.
Prompter, Mr. Gallot ; Principal Painter, Mr. Pitt; Leader of the
Band, Mr. Mellon.—Box-orlice open from Eleven till Four. Private
Bixos to be had at the Theatre, and at all the principal Libraries.

PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
LESSEE, Mr. J. AL MADDOX.
THIS EVENING

Will be produced a New Drama, entitled MONSEIGNEUR; or,
PARIS IN 1720. Monseigneur, Mr. Wallack ; Germaine, Mr.
Oxberry; Rosanne, Miss Emma Stanley; Annette, Miss Marshall.
To be followed by a new Divertissement, called LE SALON
DE BAL. Principal characters by Mdlle. Caroline Rousset, Miss
Marshall, Mdlle. i'eresine, M. J. Rousset, Mr. Marshall, and Mr.
Gilbert.

To be succeeded by a New Comedietta, entitled THE WIDOW
BEWITCHED. Mr. Clement Furnival, Mr. Walter Lacy; Mrs.
Lirimer, Mrs. Stirling
After which will be repeated a New Grand Romantic, and rather
Operatic Burlesque Extravagmza, called JOE MILLER AND HIS
MEN. Grindoff, Mr. Compton ; Lothair, Mr. Oxberry; Belmar,
Mr Granby; Riber, Mr. Corti , Goiotz, Mr. Walton; Claudine,
Miss E. Stanley ; Ravina, Mrs. Fosbroke.
Stage Manager, Mr. H. I. Wallack. Stage Director, Mr. Emden,
::,,achinist, Mr. Edmund BradwelL
Dress Circle, ss. ; Boxes, 45.; Pit, 25.; Gallo Is. Half-price at
Inc, o'clock—Dress Circle, 2s. rd. ; Boxes, 2s. ; Pit, Is.; Gallery, M.
Private Boxes, fwo Guineas and One Guinea and a.Half ; Prosce-
num Boxes, Two Guineas and a-Half. Doors to be opened at Half-
past Six, and the Performances to commence at Seven o'clock.
the Box_ottice, under the direction of Mr. W. Massingham.
Private Boxes and I' roe Admissions for the Season to be had at the
Theatre.

'..:HEATRE ROYAL LYCEUM, LATE ENGLISH OPERA.
HOUSE.
Under the Management or Mrs. KEELEY.
THIS EVENING
Will be repeated THE CHIMES; A Goblin Story. Principal
Characters by Messrs. F. Vining, Meadows, Diddear, F. Matthews,
Collier, Emery, Turner, and Keeley ; Miss Walcott, Miss Arden,
Miss Grove, and !qrs. Keeley.
After which, a New Farce, called TO PERSONS ABOUT TO
ti AllFt V. Supported by Messrs. F. Matthews, Meadows, and Stoker,
Arden. and Mrs. Wigan.
conclude with a New Grand Operatic, Historical, Romantic
,toiairnicai,, Burlesque Extravaganza, entitled VALENTINE
) ORSON. Principal Characters by Messrs. F. Matthews;
,lows, Wigan, Culler, furner, Kinloch, Yarnold, and Keeley ,
Wigan, Miss Arden, Miss Fairbrother, Miss Grove, Mrs
Usner, Miss James, Miss Turner, and Mrs. heeley.
PRICES 01, A OMlsslON.—Barcouy Boxes. 45.; Upper
Boxes, 3s. ; Pit, 25.; Gallery, 6d. Second Price—Balcony Boxes, 2s. ;
►)ptFrer Boxes, Is. 6d.; Pit, Is. Private Boxes on the rinicony Tier
eight persons). Two Guineas. Private Boxes on the Second
Fier (holding eight persons), One Guinea and a.Half. Private
11,xes the ✓it Tier (holding six persons), One Guirea.
T as Pox.olicei s open from Ten to Four o•Clock, under the dtrec.
t irm of Mr. Or.gan, late of Covent garden Theatre

Nightly Overflows t the Grand Christmas Holiday Novelties, and
I reble tation of Er.te•tainments at
ttOl AL AMPHIrI HEATRE OF ARTS.
Praprietor and Manager, Mr. W BATTY.
Brilliant Success of the New Pantomime,
THIS EVENING
Dill be repeated a New Spectacle, entitled THE ROYAL FOX
HUNT; or, The Race. Horse and Life's Course of Man and Steed ;
Introducing unequalled National Fetes. Real Fox-chase on the Stage
-,nd in the Circle by living Foe and real Pack of Hounds, purchased
• 'Sr. Batty of Mr Tattersall, to realise this novel production.
m R...ces and other Sporting Features.
w Scenes of the Circle, and entire change in the Feats of Horse-
hip.
conclude with a Grand Comic Christmas Equestrian Pantomime,
;Ird HARLEQUIN AND JOHNNY GILPIN'S RIDE; or, the
.Mack Witch of• Edmonton. Harlequin, Mr. H. Lewis; Columbine,
Mrs. J. W. Colyer ; Clown, Mr. T. Barry; Pantaloon, Mr. Bradbury ;
Johnny Gilpin, Mr. Wells.
Acting and stage.msnager, Mr. W D. Broadfoot,
:sox.ottice open from Eleverr4lll Five. Lessons in the Art of Riding
by Mr. it. Smith daily.