The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1841-05-21 00:00:00

CHURCH PASTORAL-AID SOCIETY

The annual meeting of this institution was held in the great
room, Exeter-hall, on the 11th inst. The right hon. Lord
Ashley, M.P., in the chair. On the platform were the Bi-
shops of Winchester, Chester, and Lichfield ' • General Lat-
ter; Sir Harry Verney, Bart., M. P„ Sir G. Rose, M. P.,
John Hardy, Capt. V. Harcourt ; and many gentlemen and

clergymen.
The noble CHAIRMAN having
The SECRETARY read the rep
• mt._

addressed the meeting

•t, which was highly inte

resting and encouraging. Inc
that the Bishop of Chichester had added his name to the list
of vice-patrons, in the room of his predecessor in that see :
and that the regius professor of divinity at Oxford, the right
hon. H. Goulburn, M.P., the right hon. Sir G. Rose, M.P.,
and the hon. Arthur Kinnaird, had become vice-presidents
of the society. The list of the clerical members of the society
had been increased by the addition of upwards of 270 names.
Two hundred and twenty-five clergymen, and thirty-five
lay-assistants are supported in their labours by the society,
at a charge of .Z 20,340 per annum. The committee have the
gratification of reporting that the labours of the curates, and
the prospect of aid from the society, have directly led to the
erection of sixty-seven churches and chapels ; and measures
are in progress for the erection of more churches and cha-
pels. In addition to these, one hundred and six additional
licensed places, used as chapels, have been opened ! and
four hundred and one additional full services on the Lord's
Day, one hundred and seventy-two on week days, and one
hundred and sixty-one additional cottage lectures had been
established in consequence of the society's aid.
The noble CHAIRMAN announced that a letter had been
received from the Bishop of Ripon expressing his regret that
the necessity for his immediate absence from London ren-
dered it impossible for him to attend the meeting, and ano-
ther one from the Dean of Salisbury, and also a letter from
the Bishop of Landaff, which was as follows :
Deanery, St. Paul's, May 11, 1841.
" Dear sir,—lt is with great concern that I find myself
unable, from my state of health, to attend the annual meet-
ing of•the Church Pastoral-Aid Society this day. I was de-
sirous of bearing testimony to the very great usefulness of
this society, and more especially anxious to make my acknow-
ledgments for the kind and liberal aid afforded in my own

diocese.
" Every. application, sanctioned by myself, has been
promptly attended to, and, as far as the funds of the society
would permit, bountifully answered. I have never met with
the slightest d►sposition to interfere with my province, or
with the incumbent who stood in need of assistance. My
own recommendation of a cu►ate has always been deemed
sufficient ; and when a recommendation has proceeded from
other quarters, I have felt the benefit of strict inquiry into
the qualifications of the party recommended. Nothing in-
deed appears to me fairer, than that those who supply the
salary, whether from their own means, or from a fund in-
trusted to their administration, should satisfy themselves
that the grant will be well bestowed.
" In all that I have heard and read, as matter of com-
plaint against the society, I see no evidence of a narrow or
party spirit in the inquiries they make, and I firmly believe
they are guided by no other motive than a wish to assist the
church in the performance of her duties where assistance is
most wanted, to act in concert with her established autho-
-1 in no instance to intreuch upon those authorities

or to lesson their influence.
" If this testimony or paper is of any value, you are per-
fectly welcome to make what use of it you may think
proper.—l remain, dear sir, your faithful and obliged servant,
" Rev. William Pullen, (Signed) "E. LLANDAFF.
Secretary to the Chuch Pastoral Aid Society."
(The sentiments of the letter elicited repeated applause.)
The Bishop of Wirrcussrza rose to move the first reso-
lution, and was warmly applauded. He said, after a few
prefatory remarks, recognising as I do, that the principle of
this society is in accordance with the doctrine and discipline
of our church, and that it is carrying out this principle in a
plan accordant with her doctrines and her discipline, I in-
quire into the actual practice of the society, and there I have
no need for speculation I need look only into the experi-
ence of my own diocese, and I entirely concur in the letter
from the Bishop of Llandaff, a diocese in which I never can
fail to maintain a most lively interest, and over which that
rev. prelate presides, for its best interests. (Hear, bear.)
I recognise in that letter precisely what I too have found,
and what my right rev. friends have all found, I believe, to
be the practice of this society—a concurrence in my lawful
jurisdiction involved in the ecclesiastical establishment of
our country. (Hear, hear.) How is it then, that I find
it stated in the concluding pages of the report, that attacks
have been made upon the society ? Why, I think one reason
is in the success which has attended it, and I heartily join in
the hope, that if these attacks be continued, the same result
will follow. (Applause.) For myself, 1 can profess most
truly, that I see nothing in any attacks which have come to
my knowledge which have in the least degree shaken my
attachment and affection towards this society. So tar from
it, like the committee of the society, I have been led to look
into its nature and constitution, and the more 1 have examined
its constitution and inspected its principles, the more I find
it to be in accordance with that which I should have desired,
could I have devised it for the good of our church. (Ap-
plause.) We have beard in some quarters of what is called
a church union by a strange application of terms. I should
rather call it a church disunion. (Hear.) 1 have no sym-
pathy with those who, in days like the present, when it is
the bounden duty of all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in
sincerity, to rally round our Zion and unfurl the banner of
the cross—l have no sympathy with those who, in days like
these, or, I might say, in any days, would thrust one more
touch of discord into our church. (Great applause.) I feel
nothing congenial with such views. (Renewed applause.)
And I am able to add, that the great mass of the clergy, and
of the intelligent lay members of our church, all show that
they have nothing congenial with them. (Prolonged ap-
plause.) lam satisfied that such a mode of meeting our
humble efforts in our Redeemer's cause will only have the
effect of reminding us that Satan divides to conquer, and
that those who desire to see Satan trampled under the feet
of the Son of Man must so much the more join in unity
and mutual co-operation and sympathy, in order to resist the
attempts of Satan. Church unity on church principles, that
should be the motto of our society. (Applause.) The right I
rev. prelate concluded by moving the adoption of the report.
The Bishop of CHESTER seconded the motion. His lord-
ship said, 1 for one join entirely in the sentiments of my
Right Rev. brother, the Bishop of Llandaff. lam truly
thankful for the Society bearing part of that burden which is
too great for me, and for relieving me of much which it is
impossible for me to discharge. (Hear.) I consider, that
at this moment a great question is agitating the land, and on
the issue much of its important interests must depend. It
is well known that a corsiderable portion—not a proportion
—but a large number of the population have of late years
been estranged from the Established Church of our land, and
the question, which I now think is under experiment, is,
whether that estrangement arises from a want of cordiality,
with her doctrines or agreement with her discipline, or whe-
ther it proceeds from the inadequacy of that Churchl to sup-
ply what the country requires, and to meet the demands
which an increasing population has raised. if it be that this
increasing population really opposes her doctrines or pos-
sesses a principle that is contradictory to her discipline, then
it will be found, that, in proportion as we approach this popu-
lation and have a nearer intercourse with it, so will it be
more and more in hostility against us : for the nearer you ap-
proach an adversary the more you irritate him. Well, this
experiment has been tried, but it has not been found that the
people have been estranged from the Church, but that the
Church, for want of the means of instruction to carry out
her object, has been estranged from the people. (Hear.) Of
this I can furnish a proof. In the course of the last seven
years nearly 100 churches have been opened in the diocese of
Chester ; and I believe in almost every one of them is an
overflowing congregation : some of them have already proved
too small, the demand being greater than was anticipated ;
and some have even been enlarged. Here then is a proof
that pastoral superintendence and care will bring the people
back to us, who, for want of shepherds, and through that
want alone, had wandered from the fold. (Hear, hear.)
Pastoral care and superintendence—without these nothing
can succeed, and these cannot be given without the aid of
the Society we are now advocating. But I could fatigue the
meeting with testimonies I could produce of the attachment
of the people to the Church of their forefathers. (Applause.)
In one case which has been reported to me of a parish in-
habited by weavers, colliers, and labouring persons four sta-
tions for regular weekly lectures have been established and
highly blessed of God. There were not less than 5,000 in-
habitants ; and it may well be supposed that the labours of
one individual an.ongst such a population must sink into
hopeless insufficiency. In another case it is reported, "So-
cialism is extinct, or nearly so." (Hear, hear.) " Three
years ago there was one clergyman here with a population
of 12,000. Through the assistance rendered by the Society
there are now five clergymen, and the result is, that Social-
ism is extinct or nearly so ; disaffection much subdued. Effi-
cient schools prove of great use in educating the population,
:ient they must be under the regular superin-
le clergy." Here, then it is proved, that, under
of God, in the course of a short space of time,
few years, the whole population may be re-
arch,, if indeed means be used commensurate
wants of an increasing population. (Hear.)
nee, if the blessing of God still continues to
mars,—l shall not see it, but I trust you may,
may be a great change in the whole face of
But it must be, as we are constantly re-
rough that Divine favour to which the reso-
) that and that alone can we owe our whole
st look to the grace of God for putting it
the people of this country to contribute of
irds the spiritual advancement of those
have never seen, nor are likely to see on
Above all, we must look to the grace
the hearts of faithful men to become

the corn

whom per
this side c

such a people. (Applause.)
op of LICHFIELD proposed the second resolution.
ed to say, this society well deserves your support;
the support of every member of the Church of
England. (" near," and applause.) I am well aware that
this society has been denounced as not being a church socie-
ty, and definitions of a church society have been put forward
which certainly would exclude it from that character ; but
the definitions are as arbitrary as they are unauthorised.
(Hear, hear.) And if they were true, their tendency would
be to put an end to church societies altogether. (Applause.)
For if no church society can exist unless the archbishops and
all the bishops he members thereof, then it is in the power
of any individual prelate, from caprice or any other motive,
to withdraw himself, and to deprive the society of its church
character. (Hear, hear.) And if such church societies only
are to be allowed to assist the church, then the church, ac-
cording to that definition and principle, will be deprived al-
together of the voluntary assistance of the people. (Hear,
hear.) I say, then, away with such rash, and dangerous, and
unauthorised definitions of church societies; and I trust we
shall hear no more of the Pastoral-Aid Society not being a
church society. (" Hear," and applause.) If the object of
a church society be " the salvation of souls, with a single eye
to the alory of God," then the Pastoral-Aid Society is a

The Bisi
He proceec
it deserves

nance of
I am cm.

exert►c

bAougi ti

church society ; if the object of a church society be " a re-
gard to the wants of the church on the one hand, and the
order of the church on the other," then the Pastoral-Aid
society is a church society, ; if to make the church effective
in carrying the glad tidings of salvation to every man's door,
by means of the church, be the object of a church society,
then the Pastoral-Aid Society is a church society. (" Hear,
bear," and applause.) But it would be endless to repeat the
claims of this society to be considered a church society • in
fact, it could only be excluded by those rash and unautho-
rised definitions to which he had already alluded. (Hear.)
I feel, as strongly as most men, the importance of an esta-
blished institution like the Church of England, in connexion
`ate, the sovereign being the head, for the mainte-
sound religion in the land. But, at the same time,
avinced that no endowment, however large, would
aln an established church in a state of efficiency, with-
at some voluntary exertions on the part of the members of
^hurch. (Hear.) My conviction is, that for a church
highly sound state, it is necessary that voluntary
1,1 go hand in hand with endowment, and the
-,moilions concert, each would supply the
(Hear, hear.) The subject of volun-
-don in connexion with the Church of England,
ny for pastoral purposes at homeis new, and there-
at well understood ; and to the Pastoral-Aid Society
honour of being the first institution of the kind
to take the lead ; and I hope, when this subject is better un-
derstood, that a little more tune for reflection and experience
will have the effect of neutralizing the opposition to which
this society has been exposed, and that more harmony, and
unanimity., and mutual love, will prevail among us. (Ap-
plause.) Oh, if we were more impressed than we are with
the value of immortal souls, if we had in us more of the mind
that was in Christ, instead of being in opposition to such a
society, how deeply thankful should we be that it has been
called into existence, and made instrumental for so much
good! (Hear, hear.) Yes ;we should thankfully receive
its assistance, instead of unthszkfully rejecting it. But we