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Marquess of Cholmondeley in the chair. The report stated that homilies and prayerbooks had been sent in large numbers to many parts of the globe, and great numbers circulated in this country; the former being chiefly translations into the vernacular language of the people to whom they were sent. 12,027 copies of the prayer-book and 32,128 tracts had issued from the depository during the year. The income of the society within the same period amounted to 1,9417., and the expenditure to the larger sum of 2,1711. The report was received and approved of; after which the meeting separated.

The annual meeting of the Church Missionary Society was held May 6, in Exeter Hall; the Earl of Chichester in the chair. The income of the past year was 105,249. and the expenditure 92,000l. Since the last report, the number of communicants had increased more than during the last thirty years.

The meeting of the London Hibernian Society, in aid of the Church Education Society for Ireland, took place on Monday, May 5, at Freemasons' Hall. It was very thinly attended. On the platform were the Marquess of Cholmondeley, Lord Teignmouth, the Bishop of Cashel, Sir Edwin Pearson, G. A. Hamilton, Esq., M.P. for the University of Dublin, &c.

The Marquess of Cholmondeley having taken the chair, called on the Rev. H. Hughes, the Secretary, to open the meeting with prayer.

The Rev. H. Hughes read the report; which, after stating that the London Hibernian Society had, two years since, united itself to the Church Education Society of Ireland and had undertaken to raise funds in England for the assistance of that society, in affording the blessings of scriptural instruction to the great body of the Irish poor, went on to say, that with regard to funds, there was reason for encouragement, and to hope that, with exertion, and the assistance of a deputation from Ireland, there would be a gradual increase in the sums remitted for the support of scriptural schools. The receipts in England in the past year amounted to 3,3114. Is. 9d., being an increase on the sum received from Auxiliaries of 125l. 3s. 4d.; and on the whole amount a decrease of 405. 15s., which was owing to a falling off in the amount of legacies. In Ireland, the contributions to Diocesan Societies and their schools, amounted to 30,4471. 13s. 6d. The receipts of the Parent Society in Dublin, not including the sale of books or the payment made by Diocesan Societies on account of inspection, amounted to 2,2591.

198. 7d., and the subscriptions to schools to 3,064, 7s. 94d.,—total, 5,771l. 18s. 10дd.; showing an increase over the previous year of 7,7061. 2s. 4d. A further sum of 9,000l. had been raised in Ireland, for the permanent endowment of the society. This fund originated in a proposition of the Dean of Leighlin in 1844, to contribute 1,000, provided 8,000/. or 9,000/. could be raised in addition. 7,000l. was raised, and an anonymous donation of 1,000l. completed the required sum. The total number of schools, either in connexion with the Parent Society or the Diocesan Associations, amounted to 1,812, with 104,968 children on the rolls; of whom 13,668 are Protestant Dissenters, and 32,834 Roman Catholics,-showing an increase on the previous year of eighty-three schools, and 2,440 children. A trainingschool for female teachers had been opened in Dublin, and the number of male and female teachers in the training-schools were forty-eight. The number of books issued in 1844 was 114,950,-of which 62,171 were sold, and 52,579 free grants. Competent inspectors had been appointed for periodical inspections of the schools; they were six in number, at a cost of 816/. 4s. 9d. The report of the inspectors states, they visited, in the diocese of Clogher, seventy-eight schools, containing 5,665 children; 3,345 being members of the Church, 850 Dissenters, and 1,470 Roman Catholics. In the diocese of Elphin, seven schools, 667 children; 192 members of the Church, 475 Roman Catholics. In the diocese of Dublin, thirty-seven schools, 1,942 scholars; 1,232 of the Church, 11 Dissenters, 699 Roman Catholics;-total, 122 Schools, 8,274 scholars. Dissenters, 861; members of the Church, 4,769; Roman Catholics, 2,644. The report concluded by directing attention to the address of the prelates of Ireland, and quoted a great portion of it at length. Sir Edward Pearson moved the first reso. lution-"That the report now read be adopted, and printed and circulated under the direction of the Committee." George Hamilton, Esq., M.P. for the University of Dublin, seconded the resolution. Lord Teignmouth, the Rev. D. Browne, rector of Enniscorthy, the Bishop of Cashel, the Rev. H. Verschoyle, the Rev. E. Auriol, and the Rev. E. Tottenham were the other speakers.

The Archdeacon of Middlesex held a visitation on Thursday, 8th of May, at St. Paul's, Covent-garden. In the charge delivered to the numerous body of clergy assembled on the occasion, the archdeacon gave a detailed account of the operations

of the National Society for the last few years; and, amongst other important facts tending to shew the successful efforts that have been made, and the extensive good that has been effected by means of the society, he stated, that from the 5th of July, 1843, to Christmas last, (a period of only sixteen months,) above 197,000l. has been raised, and that no less than 845 school-rooms had either been built or enlarged, and accommodation provided for 108,937 scholars. The venerable archdeacon then adverted to the recent formation of ruridecanal meetings in the diocese of London, pointing out the advantages to be gained and the cautions to be observed by the clergy in their deliberations at such meetings; and concluded by some advice upon the absorbing subjects of rubrical observances, recommending no changes to be made without the sanction of the bishop, as the proper authority to be appealed to where any point is "diversely taken," and concluded by urging unity as the great means of healing the present divisions and of restoring peace to the church.

On Friday, 9th of May, the Rev. S. Wilberforce, D.D., the new dean of Westminster, was installed into his new dignity in Westminster Abbey. Nearly the whole of the prebendaries were pre

sent.

On the 30th of April, the Lord Bishop of London confirmed nearly 300 young persons of both sexes, at Trinity Church, Cloudesley-square, Islington. There were present a large congregation of highly respectable inhabitants of the parish to witness the holy rite performed.

The Bishop of London held a confirmation, on the 29th April, in the parish Church of St. James, Piccadilly, when between 300 and 400 young persons were admitted members of the church.

We understand that the authorities of the Hon. Societies of the Temple have, in the room of the Rev. Mr. Benson, resigned, appointed the Rev. Dr. Robinson, formerly archdeacon of Madras, to the mastership of the Temple Church.

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An interesting public meeting was held on the 30th April, at Crosby-hall, Bishopsgate-street, to provide the means of erecting a Church for the accommodation of seamen frequenting the port of London. Lord Haddington presided, and was supported by the Bishop of London, several admirals, and other naval officers, members of parliament, merchants, &c. The object of the meeting was fully accomplished.

A deputation from the parishioners of St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, had an interview with the Bishop of London, a few days since, to present a memorial, based on a series of resolutions agreed to at a meeting held in March last, relative to certain innovations in the Church service, which the vicar refuses to discontinue. The deputation, which consisted of the past and present churchwardens, some members of the Trustee Board, and other influential inhabitants, were received by the Right Rev. Prelate with much courtesy. His lordship, who paid much attention to the memorial, assured the depu tation that he should be most happy, if any interposition on his part should have the effect of restoring peace to the parish; he deeply regretted the existence of these unhappy differences upon mere points of form, the more especially as the diocesan was not, in all cases, at liberty to interpose authoritatively. There were certain ceremonies which, though fallen into desuetude, were allowed, if not enjoined, by the Rubric. Should the clergyman conscientiously conceive that he was bound to adhere to those ceremonies, he was to that extent justified. The diocesan might recommend a discontinuance of the practice objected to by the parishioners, but he had no authority to suppress it absolutely. His lordship, however, promised to give the matter his most serious attention, suggesting that the memorial laid before him was too general, and expressing a wish that the allegations should be more specifically stated. The deputation then withdrew. Another memorial, in which, agreeably to the rev. prelate's suggestion, the objectionable forms were warded to his lordship, whose decision is more distinctly set forth, has been forlooked forward to with very great anxiety. Should the Bishop of London decline to interfere in the matter, the parishioners have resolved to present a memorial to the Queen, praying for inquiry and redress.-Times.

NORFOLK.

The Norwich Diocesan Church Building Association, since its establishment,

have made grants to thirty-two places in Norfolk and Suffolk, to promote the building, enlargement, or repair of churches, amounting in the whole to 1,110%.; seven of which were to parishes in this city and neighbourhood; five grants are promised, viz., Wood Dalling, 401.; Gorleston, 601.; Lynn, 100/.; Alborough, 15.; Witnesham, 401. The income for the past year was 203/. 13s. 10d.

An accident recently happened to St. Julian's Church, King-street, by the falling in of the entire of the eastern wall, burying in the debris the Communion-table and one or two pews contiguous thereto. The church has about it many traces of extreme antiquity, the low round tower and heavy arch betokening early Saxon architecture. -Norwich paper.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.

PETERBOROUGH.-On Tuesday, 20th of May, the visitation of the Ven. Arch deacon of Northampton took place at the Church of St. John the Baptist, in this city. The clergy met at the Talbot hotel, and walked in procession to the church. The sermon was preached by the Rev. R. Bell, perpetual curate of Eye; his text was 1st Timothy, 4 chap., 16th verse. The archdeacon, in his charge, called attention to the duty incumbent upon all Christians of the nation to supplicate the Almighty" that he would be pleased to direct and prosper the consultations of our parliament.'

Considerable improvements have been effected within the last few days, by the removal of an accumulation of earth from

the basement of the north and south sides of Peterborough Cathedral. This had been for some time a growing eye-sore to the admirers of the architectural beauties

of this venerable pile. The fine Norman door is now seen, as no doubt it was originally intended, but which has for some time been in a great measure hid by

this earth. The very rev. the Dean has, in addition to this, caused the hollow places on the ground at the south side to be filled up and the sods relaid,

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of St. John the Baptist's Church, Eastover, Bridgewater, the consecration is postponed until the funds at the disposal of the commissioners shall enable them to give the requisite assistance. In the meantime the church has been opened, by licence from the Bishop. The district of Eastover, in the town of Bridgewater, which is separated by the river Parrett from the remainder of the town, contains a population of about 3,000, and had no church within its limit, while the population being almost exclusively of the labouring classes there was no probability of their being ever able to provide the means of public worship from their own resources. Under these circumstances, the Rev. J. M. Capes proposed to erect a church at his own expense, in which all the sittings should be free, provided a small endowment could be raised

by subscription. This offer was promptly full sanction of the bishop of the diocese. and gratefully responded to, under the It is understood that the munificent donor has expended on this undertaking about 7,000. Mr. F. Capes has presented the church with a powerful organ, at a cost of 6007. The Rev. W. A. Hammond has given 50l. for communion plate, T. S. Forman, Esq., M.P., the same sum for a font, and the worthy family of the late Mr. Ruscombe Poole have raised amongst themselves a sum of money for erecting a school, in the neighbourhood, of the

church.

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purposes to which they were devoted. In this, the advocates of a less enlightened religion had displayed a zeal which those who boasted of a purer faith might have done well to avoid. He could not exactly comprehend the arguments of those who could oppose the development of their acquirements to their fullest extent in the service of Him from whom they derived their talents. On that ground he would encourage the taste for decorations, whether external or internal. Who could behold without gratification the finest specimens of art, whether architectural or pictorial, or regard without pleasure the productions of the painter or the sculptor, and not feel that religion had patronised these sister arts? There was he admitted, an antiquated objection to such decorations, because they had formerly been the objects of superstitious worship. In a previous age, when men's minds were under the control of superstition, when they were enslaved by the priesthood, such an argument might have had some weight; but in the present more enlightened era there was little foundation for such appre

hensions. The friends of the Protestant

Church might now look without danger upon what had been once dangerous, and they should have no sympathy with the spirit which went forth as the destroyer of all that was beautiful. In fact, the restoration of churches was the restoration of Protestantism, not of Popery. Of Protestantism they might say with Luther-"that it would be well to any external ideas, in order the more vividly to impress spiritual truths upon the mind."

A meeting was held on Monday, the 12th of May, at the Guildhall, in this town, convened by the subscribers and friends for the restoration of St. Mary's Church, for the purpose of considering the best measures to be adopted for raising the deficiency of the funds; James Borton, Esq. in the chair; when the following resolutions were unanimously carried:-That the best thanks of the subscribers and parishioners are due to the rev. incumbent and the churchwardens for the assiduous attention bestowed by them upon the works during their progress, and for the correct taste and judgment by which the works have been directed. That extensive dilapidations and defects have been discovered after the commencement of the works, the sum of 1,700l., voted by the vestry, became greatly inadequate to the necessary reparations, and the voluntary subscriptions have fallen far short of the amount required for the proper restoration of so magnificent a church; and that a deficiency of upwards

of 1,300l. having thus arisen, it is due to the incumbent and churchwardens that immediate measures be taken for relieving them from the heavy responsibility which they have incurred. That a further general subscription be therefore entered into and appeals for assistance be made to all who value the work of church restoration.-And a committee was formed for carrying all the requisite arrangements into effect, with a request that they would associate with themselves such other gentlemen as might be desirous of co-operat ing with them. It was also determined to hold another meeting on Saturday next, to arrange the method of operation.-Bury Herald.

SURREY.

KINGSTON-UPON-RAILWAY.-The new Church erected in this rapidly increasing place was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Winchester on Friday, May 2.

WARWICKSHIRE.

It has been resolved to erect additional

wings to the Queen's Hospital, Birmingham, to contain eight wards, for the accommodation of fifty beds. The Rev. Dr. Warneford, with his usual munifi. cence, has given the sum of 500l. towards the expense.

WORCESTERSHIRE.

WORCESTER.-At the last quarterly meeting of the committee of the Church Building Society; present, The Rev. E. W. Ingram, Hon. and Rev. J. Fortescue, Reverends H. J. Stevenson, J. D. Simpson, T. L. Wheeler, and J. Pearson ; H. B. Tymbs, Esq. and H. Eginton, Esq., consulting architects to the society; the Rev. W. H. Havergal was elected a member of the committee in the place of the Rev. W. J. Phillpotts, who has left the diocese. A conditional grant of 150l. was made towards repairing the church of Holy Cross, Pershore, if the plan proposed by Mr. Egerton be carried out, whereby more than 100 additional free sittings would be obtained. At the meeting of the Diocesan Board of Education; present,-the Right Hon. Lord Littleton, the Hon. and Rev. Canon Fortescue, the Rev. Canon Wood, &c.; the annual report, with a digest of the report of the Inspectors of Schools for the last year, was read by the secretary, the Rev. H. J. Hastings, and agreed to. David Thomas was elected an exhibitioner; and a plan for assembling schoolmasters and mistresses for instruction during the harvest month was adopted, provided a suitable number of persons should be found to avail themselves of it.

INDEX TO VOL. XXVII.

ORIGINAL PAPERS, CORRESPONDENCE, AND POETRY.

A. H., on the lives of the saints, 35

Answers to queries, 263

Arnold, Rev. Dr., on the opinions of the late,
394

Arnold, the late Dr., two sermons on pro-
phecy, 501

ANTIQUITIES, &c., 135, 490

Cowell, account of Dr. John, 135
Queries and directions, intended as a guide
for the systematic arrangement of topo-
graphical notes or communications, 490

B, on fasting, 392

C., on the occasional services of the reign of
queen Elizabeth, 166

Church in Newfoundland, the, 614
Clergy, the, and the middle classes, J. B. S.,
on, 374, 508

Clericus Hibernicus on the Maynooth question,

601

Clerus, on parochial intercourse with the
middle and lower classes, 602

Colonial church, some notices of the early, 17;
New York, 121; New Jersey; Pennsylvania,
241, 361, 481

C. S. B. on Mr. Oakeley's letter on the rubric,
261

Culdeeism, the peculiarities of, Rev. J. Grif-
fiths on, 25

E. H., notices of the colonial church, 17, 121,
241, 361, 481; on the queen's letter in
behalf of the Society for the Propagation
of the Gospel, 398

Fasting, B. on, 392; questions relating to, 31;

L. de R., on, 513; R. W. H., on, 159, 390,
512; reply to L. de R., 253

Form for the admission of a dean and canons,
anciently used in St. Patrick's Cathedral,
Dublin, 154

Form for the reception of an archbishop,
VOL. XXVII.-June, 1845.

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