, 1891-07-18

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ferment; but a Bishop does not possess UNI
limited power, and is not allowed to select the
most suitable man for a beneice. Still, the
Bishop Of Lichfeld has welded enormous
influence throughout the diocese, and as a
rule his advice has been accepted. His aim
has been to bring the Church into touch and
sympathy with all classes he recognised that
working people would attend church in larger
numbers II the services We're bright and at
tractlve and the clergy made it clear that they
cared as much about the soul of the honest
toiler as for the soul Of the rich man, Amongst
many persons who do not go to any place
OF worship, there is a latent regard for the
Church, and a CHEEKY, energetic clergyman
turns this to advantage. After all, a great
deal depends upon the Vicar Of a Parish, and
many instances could be recalled of a new
Vicar going to a Church in a w~orking-class
district, and drawing together a large congre-
cation Sunday after Sunday, although prior
to his arrival there had been a very meagre at
tendance. The Bishop of Lichfield has much
faith IN mission work in towns. He has
established lay brotherhoods, and with the
help of Mrs. Maclagan, lay sisterhoods have
also been founded. 1t may seem late in the day
to revive preaching brotherhoods, but these or
ganisations must be Judged by their success or
failure. If brotherhoods or sisterhoods can
demonstrate that they are doing useful work,
and are ameliorating the condition ofmankind,
then they Justify their existence. In the
middle ages the Friars were the great popular
preachers. Other Orders Of Monks lived at
Fountains Abbey or on the banks of the beauti-
full Wye, far from the busy haunts ofmen, but
the Franciscans and Dominicans had their mon
a%steries in London, as Q are still reminded by
tho STRAIT po1DaS Wbi+ofrioyc. o,I D1,,lfrior.
There is ample scope for mission work in our
large towns, though a difference Of opinion may
exist as to the exact methods which should be
adopted. Last November the Bishop Of Lich-
field opened the General ParochiaI Mission at
WoIverhampten. In fact, the deep interest
which His Lordship has taken in religious
work in this town viii cause Wolverhampton
people to regret very much his removal to
another, if more exalted, sphere of Iabour. DR..
Maclagan is a most capable administrator, and
1t IS popularity supposed that he keeps a ve~y
sharp eye on young, unsophisticated curates.
Soon after coming to Lichtield, in 1878. he
revived the practice Of holding periodical
synOds of the clergy, which had fallen into
allegiance. He also reduced the diocese to
manageable dimensions. His predecessor Or.
SelWyn) had framed a scheme for dividing the
old diocese Of Lichfield and creating the See of
SouthWell. This scheme has been carried out.
and DR.. Maclagan also appointed Bishop
Bromby as his assistant Bishop, and Sir Love
lace Stamer as Bishop Suffragan Of Shrewsbury.
On the Archbishopric of York again falling
vacant the lame Of the Bishop Of Durham was
mentioned but the Bishop of Lichfeld pos.
sesseS higher qualifications than DR.. Wescott.
The latter has spent the major portion Of his
life as a student and lecturer at Cambridge,
whilst DR.. Maclagan has always been out in the
busy world, either as the Vicar Of a London
parish or as an indefatiglbIe prelate. His wide
and varied experience Of diocesan and parochial
work, and his splendid record as a church lead
CT fit hin for the distinguished and response
bic position which he has just accepted. DR..
Thomson and Dir. Lightfoot won the hearts
Of the sturdy North country folk, and the
Archbishop of York should necessarily be a
man capable Of eyoking enthusiasm; it is not
enough to command cold and formal respect.
The working men of Sheffield looked on DR..
Thomson as their own particular champion,
and IN the diocese of Durham, DR.. Lightfoot
moved the hearts of the GOLFERS with words of
sympathy and comfort when a mining disaster
had occurred. He would read the burial SER
vice and offer that consolation to the bereaved
which religion alone can afford. The Bishop
OF Lichfeld has achieved remarkable success
in his present diocese, having thoroughly iden-
titled himself with the people and laboured
with indomitable zeal in the fultheranee of
spiritual life. The spectacle of a man who