Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-07-19

gan. has arrived ffom London. BY this arrival
we have copious files of London papers to the
evening of the fifth of June inclusive.
Nep York Com.
The IRISH CHURCH ESTABLISHMENT.
At the date of our last advices, Parliament
had adjourned for a brief period, pending the
motion of Mr.. Ward, in the Commons, to is
sue Commission of Inquiry into the ecclesias-
tical state of Ireland Upon the propriety of
this inquiry, as connected with the constitution
al right of the government to Interfere with the
revenues of the Church Establishment, differ
ence of opinion existed in the Cabinet, which
led to a partial re organization, by the retire
ment of those who were in opposition to the
proposed measure. The changes referred to
have already been announced The debate
was renewed on the I'd of June; but in the
mean time, the Ministers anticipated, in great
measure, the motion of Mr.. Ward, by issuing
Commission OF the most important and COM
prehensive nature.
On opening the debate on the I'd, Lord Al
thorp went into an explanation of the embar-
easements which had previously existed in the
administration, by the difference of opinion
among the Ministry already adverted to, and
which at the time rendered II difficult for them
to meet the question. The adjournment of the
debate was, therefore, necessary measure;
and the subsequent reorganization Of the admit
nistration had relieved them from their embar-
rassment. His Lordship thereupon Informed
the House that a lay commission had been is
sued, the object of which was most distinctly
to authorize and direct such information to be
obtained as will lead to a fair distribution of
Church property in ireland. The commission
erS are directed to report accurate information,
essentially requisite, in the first instance, on
which to found the necessary legislative enact
ments, respecting the number of persons of diff
fereht religious denominations in each parish in
Ireland the number attending divine worship in
each parish, the number and denomination Of
the places Of worship, the number of clergymen
officiating in the different places of worship &C.
Under these circumstances, the ministers OPP
posed the motion of MIR. Ward, although, by the
measure OF the commission, they had fully
pledged themselves 10 the reformation of the
Church Establishment in Ireland. The debate,
which was long and animated, was finally cut
off by call for the previous question: the vote
upon which stood
For the Previous Question 500
Majority against Mr.. Wards motion $40
The following is an authentic abstract of the
Commission, which is under the Royal Seal, and
directed to the Lord Chancellor and Viscount
Melbourne, and competent barristers.
"The expediency of an inquiry into the state
of religious and other instruction, and the means
of affording the same, now existing in Ireland;
il will authorize and appoint the commissioners,
any two or more of them, to visit every parish
in Ireland, and to ascertain on the spot, by the
best evidence which they can procure, there or
elsewhere, the number of members of, or per-
sons in communion with, the United Church Of
England and Ireland, in each bene6ce or pa
rish distinguishing, in the case of such bene
fees as comprise more than one parish, the.
number belonging to each parish separately,
and to the union collectively; and also to state
the distances of the parishes in each union from
each other respectively: to state the number
and rank of the ministers belonging to or Off
ciating within each bene6ce, whether Rector,
Yicaror Curate and whether resident or non
resident: to state the periods at which divine
service is performed in each parish church or
chapel, and the average number of persons usu--
ally attending the service in each: and to state
generally whether those members have been for
the last five years increasing stationary, or di-
minishing: to ascertain the number of the seve-.
raj other places of worship belonging to Re-
man Catholics or Presbyterans, or other Pro-
testant Dissenters, and the number of ministers
officiating in each: the proportion OF the popu-
lation of each parish, belonging to each OF such
persuasons respectively: the periods at which
divine service is performed in each Of their cha
pels, and the average number Of persons usu.
ally attending the service in each: and to state
generally whether those numbers have been, for
the last FIVE years, increasing stationary, or d.
minishing.
"To ascertain the state of each parish with
reference to the means of Education, the num-
Der and description of schools, the kind of in
struction afforded therein, the average attend
ance at each, and the sources from which they
are supported; and to state generally whether
the members attending the same have, for the
last FIVE years, been increasing, stationary, or
diminishing.
"To inquire generally whether adequate pro-
vision is now made for the religious instruction
and for the general education OF the people OF
Ireland. To report such other circumstances
connected with the moral and political relations
of the Church Establishment, and the religious
institutions of sects, as may bring clearly into
view their bearings on the general condition of
the people of Ireland"
The commission will contain the usual pow
ers 10 summon persons, to secure the produc-
ton of evidence, and administer oaths to in
spect and copy all deeds, records, and papers
OF al cathedrals, advowsons, andecclesiastica
institutions. 1t will be aided by secretary and
four clerks.
Thus has Mr.. Ward as effectuallv triumphed
A. .os,lt as thouoh no had carried b;c mo