New-York tribune., 1872-03-14
TUE INSIDE or THE PLATTER.

a gOsSlplng letter IRON kOnlc stdtcS 'i',
p. Z. Bishop Stevens administered the rite OF
confirmation in that city week or two ago to
n class of American candidates, and that,
"while the power and eloquence OF The good
"Bishop were deeply felt by the members OF
"the English Church present, they earnestly
"deplored the lack of imposing cerc,.nony
"the absence of white robes, walls, wreaths,
(which should nAyk Lh.ts Candidates as bodies
" of Christi
There is certainly an unfaiing persistence
in the Church Of England. whether at home or
abroad, to keep tho outside Of the cup and
platter clean. We believe, too, that there is
within it as sincere devotion to lis Masters
service, and as clear an insight into the re-
Qurements of that service, as ID any s0-called
Evangelical Church. 1t is hampered not as
lis Dissenting critical brothers hint by any
double burden of original sin, but simply by the
system of government foistcd on it centuries
ago it is but one evidence of the universal
sitting in England of healthy and pure in
fluences under the dead weight of worn-out
precedents and rules. Doe and Roe, village
doctor and green-groccr, may be men oil SIN
cercly dcyout spirit, which under q shepherd
of their own choosing might develop into eill-
cient Christian action, but which will be apt
TO grow sluggish under the guidance of the
beardless young fellow who, after fast career
at Oxford has scraped money enough together
to buy the charge of their souls from the Squire.
A century or two ago Doe and Roe would
have paid homage to any bringcr of salvation,
provided he was chosen by the lord of the
manor But their eyes have been couched
since then with regard to their masters, both
spiritual and temporal.
Besides the Royal family, higher clergy,
and universities, there are about $3.50
lords, gentlemen, and ladies, who hold the
right of giving or selling the care of
common souls with the globes, incomes,
and other temporal advantages which per-
tain to the places of shepherds. Once
placed in charge of the flock, it is almost I'M
possible for the poor sheep to shake Oil The
shepherd, however unwelcOme or incapable, or
even morally guilty, he may be. Several fia-
grant instances of this are given in late
number of The London Erdminer q: in one or
two cases the reverend gentlemen were no.
torious drunkards or prohgates, or, instead
of attending to the spiritual welfare Of
their parishioners, took to speculation or
stock gambling, figuring finally IN the Bank
ruptcy Court inanything but honest or honorable
guise. Without any expressed repentance or
reformation, however, they still continue in
their charge, and their 1OCks have but to sub
nit A more scaDdalOus ease still is that of
the incumbent of Clayton-le-MOOrs, the Rev.
Joseph Wood, who, nine years ago, was tiled
for forgery, convicted, and sentenced to ten
years penal seryitude Obtaining tickct-0f-
leave he returned and insisted on resuming
his clerical functions. No congregation, 1t Is
presumed, desire ticket leave man as their
guide to heaven. But to rid themselves of
him required dragging of the case through
five tedious courts, at a cost so great as to be
absolutely impracticable for a poor parish.
Fortunately, ClaytOn-le-MOOrs was able to
rake up another forgery, for which Mr.. Wood
was again tried and transported, and they can
breathe freely until this dev0ut Old Man Of
the Sea works out his punishment and returns
to bestrde them again.
The Examiner, with John Bulls boasted love
of fair play, remarks that ii Is hardly fair
that living which has cost the incumbent
thousands Of pounds should be easily wrested
from him for mere inetlicicncy; or even in
case Oh Inoidl uchhquCh'!, 'h'u uiC NS'u Pi"-
cess against him should be cheapened or SIM
plifcd. The adjustment of the sale of adj
vowsons is, it contends, the first step to
reform. at present the parishioners of the
Largest and richest parishes are simply
"bought and sold like sheep. Many noble
"manr (himself in many cases a skeptic or
unbeliever) "hOlds dozen or twenty lyings
:" in his gift. Only one has had the courage
"to allow his parishoners to choose their own
"postor.- Which is view on the other side
of John Bulls love of fair play.
TIoro ia n corresnondent IN Rome who does not