by law established, and the necessity for an intimate connexion between the church and the state; but denied that the clergy were averse to all reform, as also that they were either jealous, invidious, or intolerant towards those who dissented from the doctrines of the established church for conscience' sake. The Archdeacon next spoke of the many projects that were now before Parliament, in which the rights of the church and the clergy were so intimately mixed up, saying that he could not contemplate such changes without apprehension, the history of the world shewing that reformation never came in a flood. He then adverted to the Reports of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners; to the English Bill for the Commutation of Tithes; the proposed measure relating to the church of Ireland; to that for the regulation of the English clergy; to the bill for the registration of births; and the proposition for making marriage little, if anything, more than a mere civil contract. Six distinct measures for purposes of these kinds were now before Parliament: he could not, however, but earnestly pray that great and important alterations would be made in all of them before they became the law of the land, if such be their destiny. He regretted the proposed alterations as to the cathedrals, those splendid temples, the monuments of ancient piety, describing the church endowments as chiefly the gifts of individuals, and not a means for the support of religion that was furnished by the state. He also disapproved of the increase of power proposed to be given to the diocesans. The advantages attending the possession of a learned clergy he shewed to be immeasurably great, and trusted it was not to the ministers of religion alone that, in this country, the means of becoming support were to be dealt out with a scant hand.-Exeter Gazette. A correspondent of the Exeter Post recommends the clergy immediately to assemble in their deaneries or archdeaconries, and take into consideration the provisions of the two most important bills now before Parliament, the "Tithe Bill," and the "Residence and Curates' Salaries Bill;" of the latter, some parts are so stringent as to call for modification. DURHAM. The contemplated transfer of the surplus revenues of the bishopric of Durham, for the support of new bishoprics, is creating a very powerful sensation, not only in the county of Durham, but in Northumberland also. Independently of an address to the King, and a memorial to Lord Melbourne, setting forth the most cogent reasons, on the part of the clergy of the diocese of Durham, against the partition-scheme of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, which his Majesty's present government seems anxious to have passed into a law, petitions, numerously signed, have been transmitted to both houses of Parliament, from the towns of Sunderland and Darlington, praying that the surplus revenues of the bishopric of Durham may be applied to the augmentation of the poor livings within that diocese, and to the religious and educational wants of the people, instead of being transferred in the way proposed by the present ministry. A meeting of the clergy in Northumberland will be held shortly, it is understood, in order to strengthen the proceedings of the clerical body in the southern part of the diocese. A PETITION FROM THE ARCHDEACON AND THE CLERGY OF DURHAM TO THE LORDS SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL.- A petition from the Archdeacon and clergy of the archdeaconry has been signed, which states, that " your petitioners have seen with regret, that part of the Report of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners which recommends the abstraction of a large ecclesiastical property from the diocese of large, populous, and, in many cases, ill Durham. The parishes of the diocese are endowed, the population, being intimately connected with the mines, liable to great and sudden changes; the increase of the population has of late years been rapid, and is likely to go on; and the parochial arrangements, from these and other circumstances, are defective, and require revision. "The property of the See and the Dean and Chapter of Durham is chiefly drawn from the diocese itself; and though this has hitherto been vested in few hands, it has been made available in various ways to common purposes-to the support of schools in connexion with the church of England, the building and endowment of churches, and the relief of general and individual wants. "The state of the parishes had long since attracted the notice of the Bishop and Dean and Chapter of Durham; and so soon as the law enabled them to interpose with effect, they proceeded, under the powers of the act for the augmentation of small livings, to augment the benefices of the parochial clergy, upon a scale which involved the gradual cession of a large episcopal and chapter property to the parishes of the diocese. "Your petitioners desire to represent to your right honourable house the hardship which the proposed interruption of the plans of the late bishop, and dean and chapter, would inflict upon the parishes of episcopal and chapter patronage, as well as the general ill effect of the scheme of the ecclesiastical commissioners upon a diocese whose necessities are great and are increasing. "Your petitioners also beg to call the attention of your right honourable house to the university, established by the late bishop, and dean and chapter, whence, amongst other important advantages, the training of ministers of religion for the service of our church was reasonably anticipated. "And they therefore pray that such alterations and amendments may be introduced into the Bishoprick of Durham Bill as may, in the judgment of your right honourable house, provide for the just claims and interests of the diocese of Durham." The parishioners of Haughton le Skerne have just presented to their curate, the Rev. Thos. Austin, a silver salver, value 60 guineas, of exquisite workmanship.Durham Advertiser. ESSEX. The first stone of the new church of St. Botolph, Colchester, was laid on Wednesday, the 11th, by John Round, Esq., of Danbury Park. An eloquent sermon was preached at St. Peter's church, by the Rev. J. S. M. Anderson, chaplain to the Queen, after which the procession was formed, consisting of about sixty clergymen, and a large assemblage of Freemasons, with their banners and insignia, parish authorities, charity children, &c. &c. For nearly two hundred years this parish had been destitute of a house of prayer for the reception of the members of the church establishment, amounting, by the last census, to 25,60 souls. The evil had from time to time been seriously felt; but it remained for our respected and pious townsman, the Rev. James Round, to effect, by his persevering zeal and influential liberality, that which others had tried in vain to accomplish. A proposal was issued to build a new church, without interfering with the beautiful ruins of the priory church, capable of containing 1,000 persons, and to endow it with an income of about 100l. a year. The supporters of the project received from the Society for Building Churches and Chapels, a grant of 1,000l. for that purpose; but, in consequence of the parish being overburthened with poor, it was necessary to raise a large sum by private subscription. The call has been nobly responded to. Above 3,0001. has been al ready subscribed; and we feel confident the sum still required, amounting to about 1,400l., to complete the undertaking, will be cheerfully contributed by the friends of the church. In the list of subscribers are the names of the Rev. James Thomas Round, with the munificent donation of 400l. to which may be added an expenditure of valuable time, persevering labour, and zealous activity without measure; the Master and Fellows of Balliol 2001.; Bp. of London 100l.; the late Lord Colchester 100%; Lord Ashburton 100l. ; R. Sanderson, Esq., 100l.; Rev. Dr. Prosser, of Belmont, 100l. ; Mrs. Wegg, of Acton, 1001.; the late Mrs. Cock 1001.; Earl de Grey 50l.; John Bawtree, Esq., 507.; W. Hawkins, Esq., 501.; C. G. Round, Esq., 311. 10. ; J. F. Mills, Esq., 30l. ; George Round, Esq., 301.; Rev. J. Blatch, of Basingstoke, 301.; T. White, Esq., of Weathersfield, 251.; T. White, jun., Esq., of Berechurch Hall, 25l.; Rev. W. Gresswell 201.; Rev. J. M. Chapman 201.; Rev G. Maberley 201.; Dr. Nunn 201.; Miss Thorley 201."; Archdeacon Lyall 201.; General Rebow 201.; the late Corporation of Colchester 21l. 10s.; Mrs. Hoblyn 201.; the late Rev. T. Sykes, of Guilsborough, 20. ; Mrs. Waldo, of Worthing, 201 Esser Standard. GLOUCESTERSHIRE. We understand that the living of St. James, in this city, has met with a purchaser in John Scandret Harford, Esq.; the price was 2,5551. The living of Christchurch has also been disposed of to Mr. Strickland, solicitor, of this city, for 4,5551., being intended, as we learn, for his son. - Bristol Mirror. MONUMENT TO DR. GRAY, THE LATE BISHOP OF BRISTOL.-A beautiful mural monument has lately been erected in the Newton Chapel, in Bristol Cathedral, to the memory of Bishop Gray. It is the work of a native of that city, W. H. Baily, R.A., and reflects much credit on his taste. The monument bears the following inscription: "In the burial ground adjoining to this Cathedral lie the remains of ROBERT GRAY, D.D., ،، Sometime rector of Bishop Wearmouth, and lately a prebendary of the Cathedral Church of Durham, and Bishop of Bristol, who died on the 28th day of September, in the year of our Lord 1834, in the 74th year of his age, and the 8th of his consecration. "Distinguished in the early part of his professional life by learning and piety, he was afterwards no less remarkable for the able discharge of the duties of his episcopal office, combining with diligent attention to the ecclesiastical concerns and liberal support to the charities of his diocese, a zealous devotion to the general interests of the established church. This monument has been erected to his memory by the clergy and laity of this city and its neighbourhood, in testimony of their affection for his person, respect for his principles, and admiration for his firmness and fortitude."-Bristol Journal. HAMPSHIRE. A subscription has been opened to defray the expenses of erecting an organ in the parish church of St. Thomas, Winchester.-Salisbury Herald. On Monday, April 18th, the first stone of the new church at Bitterne was laid by Mrs. Barlow Hoy. The site of the church is in the angle of a field, close to the junction of the roads leading to Swathling, Itchen, Ferry, Bursledon, and Moor Green. The service was read by the Rev. W. D. Harrison, the vicar. The inscription on the plate was as follows:-The first stone of this church, built by subscription, on ground presented by J. Barlow Hoy, Esq., M.P., was laid on the 18th of April, 1836. W. D. Harrison, vicar. R. Scott, and J. Gale, churchwardens. J. W. Wild, architect." The style chosen by the architect is the simple Gothic of the 13th century; the church will have a nave and two aisles; there will be a west-end gallery, but no other; accommodation will be afforded for 640 sittings, of which 392 are to be free. The name is to be "St. James's Chapel, West-end." The Rev. E. R. Breton is to have the perpetual curacy.-Ib. Winchester College, and the Rev. C. B. Henville, the vicar of Portsmouth, have each given 500l. towards a fund for the erection of new churches in that town and Portsea.-Oxford Herald. LANCASHIRE. (From a Correspondent.) The congregation of St. Peter's church, Manchester, have presented their minister, the Rev. Nicholas Germon, M.A., with a richly chased salver, and splendid silver tea service. Edward Brooke, Esq., the senior churchwarden, in behalf of the congregation, bore testimony, in a most appropriate address, to Mr. Germon's faithful services, as minister of St. Peter's for a period of fourteen years. The salver bears the following inscription:-" Pre sented, together with a tea service, to the Rev. Nicholas Germon, M.A., incumbent of St. Peter's, Manchester, in testimony of the sincere attachment of his congregation, their respect for private worth, and the due appreciation of the faithful discharge of his ministry for a period of 14 years, May 19th, 1836." The cost of this plate was one hundred and twenty guineas. The foundation stone of a new Protestant school has recently been laid at Esh, towards the building of which Lord Crewe's trustees have contributed 50l., the Diocesan School Society 201., and the remainder of the expense is to be defrayed by the Rev. Temple Chevallier, the perpetual curate. The ground was given by the Venerable Archdeacon Thorp.Newcastle Journal. At a meeting held in Bury, yesterday, convened by the rector, and attended by the leading gentlemen of the town, it was resolved that two new churches should be erected, and that subscriptions should be entered into for that purpose. It was also resolved that a separate fund should be opened for each church, to which all those who were locally connected should be invited to contribute. Upwards of 1700l. was subscribed at the time, one firm alone contributing 500l. for the purpose. It is upwards of fifty years since any addition has been made to the church accommodation in Bury, in which time the population has increased at least three or four fold. -Manchester Chron. Two other churches are very much wanted in the township of Heap, suitable sites for which may be found in the neighbourhood of Heywood Hall and Gooden Lane. The population of TottingtonLower-End is about 11,000, with church room for 1,200. A church is very much wanted in the populous village of Ramsbottom. More than 1000l. have been raised towards building a church in Walmersley, which will hold 600 sittings, 200 of which are to be free. The Diocesan Society has granted 4007., and the rector will give half the tithes of the township towards the endowment. The population of the parish of Bury in 1801 was 22,300; it is now 47,627. [This, with much other useful matter, will be found in a sermon preached by the Rev. T. P. Kirkman, B. A., Senior Vicar of Bury.] LINCOLNSHIRE. A petition has been presented to the House of Lords, by the Bishop of Lincoln, "from the Lord of the Manor of Hulgurst, near Caistor, in the county of Lincoln, praying their lordships to abolish an indecent and absurd custom by which he held certain lands; that custom being, that on every Palm Sunday a person deputed by him should hold a whip over the head of the clergyman when he ascended the pulpit of the parish church."-Times. MIDDLESEX. ST. PAUL'S SCHOOL.-The apposition of this noble institution took place on Thursday, the 5th of May. The school-room was crowded at two o'clock by the friends and relations of the scholars; and about a quarter past two the masters entered, accompanied by a crowd of distinguished visitors; among whom we noticed the Bishops of Durham, Bangor, and Llandaff. The exercises commenced, as usual, with orations in Greek, Latin, and English, to the memory of the munificent founder, Dean Colet. They were composed and delivered by the three senior boys of the school (Messrs. Jowett, Wright, and Jephson), in a manner which did credit to their own talents and industry, as well as to the attention of their tutors. The prize compositions followed. The subject of the first was, " Iter ad Emmaum," for Latin hexameters; of the second, "Jepthe Votum," for Gr. Trim. Iam. They were both of them written and spoken by Mr. Jowett, the captain. The high master's prize was given to Mr. Stokes, for a Latin essay on the following subject:-" Quænam fuerit Atheniensium, in coloniis administrandis, imperii conservandi ratio." The remainder of the speeches were selected from various classical authors, as well ancient as modern, and were spoken with taste, spirit, and judgment. They were all received with much applause.-Times. ANNIVERSARY OF THE SONS OF THE CLERGY. This annual festival was held on Thursday, the 19th of May, at St. Paul's Cathedral. The sermon was preached by Dr. Pearson, the Dean of Salisbury, from Deuteronomy, chap. xii. v. 19. The music was the same as that given at the rehearsal on Tuesday. The anniversary dinner was afterwards held at Merchant Tailors' Hall. -The Lord Mayor was in the chair. The cloth having been removed, "Church and King" was given from the chair, and received with acclamations. The next toast, "The Queen," was also received with the most lively satisfaction. The Chairman proposed the health of his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury. The toast was then drunk with enthusiasm. The Archbishop of Canterbury returned thanks. After several toasts had been drunk, the Chairman rose to propose the last—viz., "Pros perity to the Corporation of the Sons of the Clergy." In proposing this, however, he was sorry to have to say that the subscriptions of the evening were deficient. They presented a diminution of 150l. on the amount of the previous year. He felt convinced, however, that at a time when prosperity was smiling on trade and manufactures, the citizens of London would not allow so excellent an institution to be neglected. He was sure that the best energies of the friends of the institution would be directed towards ensuring the payment of the deficiency before long into the treasurer's hands. The toast having been drunk with applause, the chairman retired, and the company shortly afterwards separated.-The subscriptions at the doors of the cathedral and at the dinner exceeded 1,000l. At a meeting of the National Society for the Education of the Poor, &c., holden at the Central School, Westminster, on Wednesday, May 4, there were present-the Lords Bishops of London, Winchester, Bangor, Carlisle; Rev. H. H. Norris, Rev. Dr. Walmesley, Colonel Clitheroe, W. Davis, Esq., Joshua Watson, Esq., James Trimmer, Esq., and Rev. J. C. Wigram. SOCIETY FOR BUILDING AND ENLARGING CHURCHES.-On Wednesday, May 18th, the anniversary of this society was held at No.4, St. Martin's-place, Trafalgar-square. The Archbishop of Canterbury took the chair. The secretary read the report for the year ending March 31 last, from which it appeared that, during the year preceding March 31, 1835, the number of applications made to the society was 170, the amount granted 21,171l., and the additional church accommodation 34,336 sittings, of which 24,990 were free. In the year preceding the 31st of March last, the applications had been 146, the money expended 17,4171., and the additional church accommodation 30,237 sittings, of which 22,219 were free. In 1835, aid had been granted for enlarging 25 churches, for rebuilding 14, and for building 18 additional chapels, and for increasing church accommodation in 28 cases. In 1836, 15 churches were enlarged, 110 rebuilt with enlargement, 26 additional churches built, and the church accommodation increased in 41 cases. The amount voted in 1835 and 1836 was 38,5881., and the disposable balance on the 31st of March last, was 3096l. 14s. Since the institution of the society, in 1818, by an expenditure of 199,4051., the society have rebuilt and enlarged 1260 churches, and provided 313,550 sittings, of which 233,925 are free. A district committee of the society has lately been established at Cambridge, from which the society had received a donation of 470l., and the Durham Dio cesan Society has, for the last six years, transmitted to the society one-fourth of its receipts. A diocesan society has also lately been established at Worcester.Motions were moved and seconded by the Rev. C. Benson, the Right Hon. Sir G. H. Rose, and the Bishops of Winchester and Chester. The latter stated, that in the manufacturing districts of his diocese, twenty-eight churches and chapels were now in the course of erection, which it was estimated would cost 75,000l. These were the districts in which the opposition to the church was supposed to be the greatest; but the church had only to afford additional accommodation to the population, and increase the number of faithful ministers, and there was no doubt it would maintain its ground. ESTABLISHED CHURCH SOCIETY.-On Saturday, May 7, a meeting of this association was held at Exeter Hall, Lord Ashley, M.P., in the chair. The secretary read the report, which at great length lamented the obvious deficiency of establishments in which people might hear the word of God, and mentioned that the committee had presented petitions to all the archbishops and bishops, on the subject of this important want both in town and country. It concluded with expressing an apprehension that the Irish Tithe Bill, if carried, would lead to the destruction of the protestant church in Ireland, and endanger the protestant religion throughout the empire. Sir Oswald Mosley, M.P., the Rev. Hugh Stowell, the Dean of Ardagh, and others, addressed the meeting, and moved resolutions in furtherance of the views embodied in the report. They particularly dwelt upon the irremediable injury the establishment would sustain, if the Irish appropriation clause were permitted to become law. CHURCH PASTORAL AID SOCIETY.The first public meeting of this association was held on Monday, 9th of May, in the lower room, Exeter Hall; Lord Ashley in the chair. Mr. Harding read the report. It stated that the society was instituted at a meeting of about seventy of the clergy and laity in February last, and the outline of its plan had been submitted to the members of the episcopal bench. Letters were read from the Bishops of Exeter and Chester, and from many distinguished clergymen in different parts of the country. The report then went on to explain more fully the object of the society; it was to provide, rate. as far as possible, according to the principles laid down, additional clerical assistants, and places of worship, for necessitous and populous parishes and districts. From the peculiar state of some masses of the population, and the necessities of the church, some incumbents had already requested lay assistants to be employed under their guidance (hear, hear) to break up the fallow ground, and prepare the people for the ministration of the word of God and the ordinances of the church. After stating the regulations which the committee bad laid down for their guidance as to the assistance to be rendered by the society, the fundamental principle was repeated, namely, that no aid of any kind should be granted in any parish, except on the application of the incumbent, or with his concurrence. All clergymen employed by the agency of the society to be, in every respect, as subject to the authority of the incumbent as any other cuIt was stated to be the firm conviction of the committee, strengthened by the opinion of many superior authorities in the church, that a wide field was open for the profitable employment of lay agency, consistently with the due order of the church, provided the lay assistant was, what the committee would always desire to have, a man of sound and intelligent piety, attached to the principles of the established church. (Hear, and cheers.) Some applications, as agents, had already been received from some clergymen, and from several graduates and under-graduates of the University of Cambridge, designed for holy orders. (Much cheering.) More applications for aid had been made than the committee could at present comply with. Other regulations of the society were then stated; and the report concluded by calling upon all present to render every possible aid by the formation of local associations the speedy, transmission of subscriptions and donations-appeals from the pulpit, and earnest and persevering prayers for the Divine blessing. (Cheers.) It was stated that the subscriptions and donations already received amounted to nearly 2000l. LONDON EPISCOPAL FLOATING CHURCH SOCIETY. On Tuesday, May 24, the 8th anniversary of this association was held in the lower room, Exeter Hall; Lord Radstock in the chair. The report stated, that the attendance afloat had not been equal to the anticipations of the committee, and, in order to render the operations of the Society more efficient, it had been determined, if adequate funds could be obtained, to erect or obtain an episcopal chapel on |