The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-02-14

dS the Low GnnFCds MOT
than this, some Of the Bishops themseive;
indulge In ritualistic practices. Tn,
learned. broadminded. and courtly Bisho,
OF London wears chasuble. cope. ant
mltre, as does also the Bishop Of Lin
coin DR.. Temple, the Archbishop OF Can.
terbury. Is an exceedingly broad minded
and tolerant man, and in his archiepisco.
pal charges to the Bishop and clergy OF
the province of Canterbury last autumn
distinctly gave all present 20 understand
that there was no crime from hts point
OF view in many al the practices denounc-
ed by the evangelical element as Illegal.
The Parliamentary Situation.
The situation. therefore. is this: That
the Low Church element, stirred TO ae-
ton by Mr. Kensit and Sir William Yer
non Harcourt, will endeaver during the
forthcoming Parliamentary session TO Sc
cure the passage OF a bill through both
houses of the legislature abolishing the
Bishops right OF veto. but otherwise
maintaining all the pains and penalties
now provided by law for ecclesiastical Of
lenses. while the Bishops are preparing
to seek legislation with view To abolish
ing such extreme penalties of fine and
Imprisonment. promising that If this is
zone they VIII be more spsring In their
use of the power OF veto. Naturally they
will strongly oppose any deprivation OF
that prerogative since they point out thai
its repeal would be equivalent to a decls-
ration by Parliament that they were not
fit to be trusted with the administrator
of their respective dioceses.
1t will be asked why 1t is that the
Bishops themselves do not take legal ac-
ton to maintain ritual and eccles iastical
discipline in their dioceses. 1t has been
pointed out that some OF these spiritual
peers are addicted to the practices of
what is known as the extreme High
Church. But there is another reason, and
a far more potent one. which prevents
them from resorting to any legal methods
of disciplining the clergy subject to their
orders. The Bishop incurs enormous ex-
pense whenever he appeals to the law
for assistance in maintaining discipline
among his clergy, and one Bishop. In his
endeavor to remove from Office the rector
of popular parish I'm consequence of his
profiigate character and
drunken habits, was obliged to pay out
of his own pocket mere than his entire
years stipend in legal expenses, and then
had the modification of seeing the man
win his case against him on final appeal
Thus, as the law is at present. a Bish-
op. If he can find any one willing 10 de-
fray all the legal expenses, can. by sane
tioning legal proceedings on the part of
a layman against one Of his clergy, have
the latter actually committed TO prison
for some infractisn of the rules OF the
ritual OF the Church of England. yet can
not even suspend or re move d rector who
Is both a profigate and drunkard. The
Bishops are being attacked by Sir William
Harcourt and by the evangelical element
Of the Church of England for not main
tanning proper discipline among their
clergymen by means of legal process
They might be ready to do 50, however,
were the National Treasury to agree TO
lefray the expenses of the prosecution
precisely In the same way as It does In
he crimes against secular law. Were the
Public Prosecutor Che English counter
part of the American District Attorney
10 be called upon to pay out of his own
pocket the legal expenses entailed by the
of the criminals for whose
bringing to justice he is responsible, IL
nay safely be taken for granted that the
prosecutions which he would institute
would be few and far between. 1t is the
same tnlng with the Bishops.
The Queens Attitude.
II at the outset Of this letter I refer to
he position of the Queen as supreme
read of the church it is because at the
resent moment she is exercising all her
influence to avert any appeal TO
Parliament for legislation in connection
With these matters of the church She
the advice OF that sstute and
worldly wise prelate, Bishop Wherefore.
II Winchester. popularity known as
'Soapy Sam" who was never tired of
rGing upon his fellow Bishops the avoid
nee of Parliament at all costs IL they
Wished to avert disestablishment She re-
Lies that the spirit of the people in En-
countries at the close OF
he nineteenth century is absolutely op-
'osed to the enactment of any secular
avs dealing with ecclesiastical ofenses,
ince they constitute. to all intents and
purposes, an infraction of that principle
# civilized government which is known
s liberty of the conscience" Probably
alf, IL not more, of the members of both
ouses OF Parliament are either Dissent
RS or Roman Catholics, and OF the pos
IDLE 40 per cent. who belong to the
'hurch OF England half again are in IA
or Of what is known as the High Church
'arty OF the Church Of England The
>issenters, as well as the Roman Cath
lies, are strongly In favor OF the discs
Adjustment OF the Church OF England,
nd or the placing OF all religious denom-
nations upon the same basis OF equality.
we're the Exeter Hall element 10 secure
ne legislation which they demand, or
7ere even the proposal Of the Bench of
sIsn IN h. a..s1
Ultimately result, according TO the most
uthorlzed expressions OF expert opinion,
\ the withdrawal OF the greater portion
4 the High Church element from the
'hurch OF England. In fact, the latter
I0uld be left ia such a hopeless minority
8 10 render It's establishment ineyita-
lie.
The Queen, broad-minded. experienced,
nd sagacious woman that she Is. realizes
bis. she Is anxious TO avoid the dis
establishment Of the Church OF England.
I least during her lifetime, and that
why she so strongly deprecates any leg
'latiye action. Her influence is likely 10
revsil with the Bench OF Bishops, but il
! doubtful II IL will prove effective with
he Low Church contingent, who already
uestlon her orthodoxy, and who nave
eyeral times openly assalled her for par
4king OF communion according to Pres
yterian rites at the parish church OF
ratfie when staying In Scotland, at Bal.
lorst; who have accused her OF PaDiSf
.anings merely because she has mani
ssted certain amount OF courtesy to-
ard the Pope and OF liberation and kind
7 regard for his Catholic subjects: who
ave likewise called her 20 account for
her grandchildren 10 play lawn
.nnts on Sunday AZ Osborne: who, in
hort. are not IN the least sssn0sed 20 ac-
ept her advice In religious matters. N
% has any preferences ia connection
'ith the Church Of England Il il rather
favor % the High Church party, her
broad and tolerant Views in
he matter being shared By the Prince
nd Princess OF Wales and hy all the
Iembers OF the royal family. az well as
y the present Premier, Lord Salisbury.
Jews In one word bsnttfng ths ruler %
n empire OF 88.0oo.co souls. comprising
- largest number OF diverse creedE in
&c world. EX-ATTAcHE.
How To Behave at Dinner.
'sas ths Icpth's cpnpznien. fssz
The dining Englishnan OF the period was
ytrsmely prone. IppzrSntiy. to eat a.
r. Lehman 4te-ssreflscuefy HoffV vggfh