The Sun. — 1869-08-05 (London, England)

THE NEW IRISH CHURCH BODY.  The Protestant Bishops of Ireland have been holding a conference at Dublin. The deliberations were commenced on Tuesday and continued yesterday. The proceedings were strictly private ; bub we learn that all the prelates of Ireland attended except the Bishop of Cashel. The correspondent of the Telegraph says it is understood that the bishops propose to revive Convocation, but are in some measure embarrassed by the absence of any decisive expression of opinion by the laity. In some quarters it is held that whilst the Church is doing the work of reformation, it might as well do it thoroughly. Hence one party urges that the present is a grand opportunity for the reformation of the Church and the revision of the Prayer Book in a thoroughly Protestant sense. "It is not unlikely that these will make their voices heard in the coming conferences and discussions." The Bishop of Down and Connor has intimated his intention to call a meeting of the clergy and laity for Friday, the 20th of August, to consider their position, and the necessity of organising a lay and clerical diocesan synod. Meanwhile, the clergy and laity seem to have agreed upon a truce to controversy pending the action of the bishops; but some isolated voices cannot restrain themselves from utterance. The Rev. 11. M. Archdall expresses the opinion that the necessity for reassembling the National Conference of last April is unquestionable. The Conference cannot be a representative body or a governing body. "But elected and national and characterised as it was by moderation and unanimity, and representing all shades of opinion in the Church, its deliberations could not fail to assist in arriving at a sound conclusion as to the proper steps to be taken, and the best course to pursue. And it has this special recommendation, that it affords the only means of taking counsel together without delay." It is to be regretted that this sensible talk is but as a voice calling in a wilderness of bigotry, bad logic, anal worse sense. One gentleman urges that the prayer for the High Court of Parliament be at once discontinued. How can treacherous, traitorous, and godless M.P.'s expect to be prayed for ? A " Vir Obscurus"—what a pity that he ever emerged from his obscurity—pours forth a cataract of absurdity about the hypocrisy of Scotch members, the falsehood of Roman Catholics, and the Queen's misinterpretation of the Coronation Oath. "A Northern Dignitary "—a dignitary without dignity seemingly—entreats his brethren "to cut all connection with the Church of England, steeped as it is in semi-Popery, Ritualism, and Rationalism. Let us join ourselves to the American Episcopal Church, which is not ashamed to adopt the name of Protestant, which has never been assumed by that degraded Church of England." Finally, another correspondent deems it needful to express his belief that the Lords have committed suicide, and that the Hereditary Chamber is tottering to its fall. But some signs of peace and goodwill make themselves manifest. The Orange Lublin Mail admits that " our Roman Catholic fellow-countrymen have shewn no unkindly disposition towards their Protestant neighbours in their season of humiliation," and even that lion, ex-mayor O'Sullivan, expresses a desire to lie down with the lamb. He has just proposed and carried in the Cork Corporation a resolution to petition Parliament against the celebrations in the North so offensive to Catholics.