"But though the bishop's license is at once the pledge and proof that the society's missionaries are under episcopal superintendence and jurisdiction, and that the spiritual oversight rests altogether with the bishop; yet the society may seem, to some persons, to keep up a kind of spiritual jurisdiction and oversight, by requiring accounts from the missionaries of all their proceedings, and by giving them directions, from time to time, which may bear upon their spiritual duties. But it must be remembered, that the society stands toward its missionaries in the relation of trustees of the fund out of which their salaries are paid. In the case of a beneficed clergyman in this country, the minister is the guardian and possessor of the temporalities of the benefice, because the benefice is an endowment; and the patron has no further connexion with the minister whom he has once presented to the bishop. In our case, the office of patron is in a sense perpetuated by the payment of the salary, and the possession of all the temporalities of the mission. "This matter has been well explained by the bishop of Calcutta, in a letter to the Calcutta corresponding committee, May 26, 1837 :- 'The 'missionary committees (says his lord'ship) have a far greater latitude in 'India than any lay-patrons at home. 'Upon presenting his clerk to the 'bishop, the patron at home is functus 'officio. The clergyman is removed, 'on being once instituted and licensed, 'totally and for ever from the patron, 'and is transferred to the superin'tendency of the bishop. The patron 'has nothing whatever more to do 'with him. But in India, the com'mittee is (1) the continued pay-master 'of the missionary, after he is duly 'licensed; -for institution and induc'tion there are none. (2) They corres'pond with him. (3) They supply him 'with catechists. (4) They report his 'chief proceedings home. (5) They 'propose removals and changes of 'station to the bishop. (6) They exer'cise, unavoidably, an influence which 'does not belong to the mere lay'patron; and are aiding, in a variety 'of ways, to the comfortable and hon'ourable discharge of the missionary's 'most exalted and most spiritual ' duties.' "It remains to consider the case of those stations which are extra diocesan; i. e. where there is no colonial bishop of the Church of England having jurisdiction over them. "In these cases, the society hasendeavoured to procure for such stations the benefits of the episcopal office from the nearest bishop of the Church of England. Application was made by the committee both to the late and to the present bishop of Madras, to extend, as far as circumstances would admit, these benefits to the mission in Travancore; which, as an independent state, not forming a part of the British dominions, was not included in the diocese of Madras. A similar application was made on behalf of the NewZealand mission, to the bishop of Australia; who at once acceded to the request, and kindly promised to visit New-Zealand as soon as hisother duties would permit; stating, in a letter to the society's representatives at Sydney, 'It is highly satisfactory ' to me, that our friends at home are 'taking a view of these things, which 'proves them to belong, not only to a 'missionary, but also to a church so'ciety.' (See Annual Report, 1838,) "Such is a general view of the constitution and proceedings of the Church Missionary Society. "It is not intended to assert, that errors are not sometimes committed in the application of these principles to matters of detail. It must be remembered, that missionary operations are, alas! new and anomalous in the system of the Church of England; and that it is not always easy to draw a definite line between the two provinces which belong respectively to the bishop and the committee. It has been observed by the bishop of Calcutta (letter, May 26, 1837): 'The boundaries of 'the power of committees, as they 'approach to those of the bishop, can 'be ascertained, in many points, only 'by time and observation,' plexities have consequently occurred; and, unhappily, misunderstandings have sometimes arisen between the representatives of the society abroad and ecclesiastical authorities. But these are the principles by which the home committee have endeavoured to guide the proceedings of the society: and they confidently respond to a sentiment expressed by the bishop of Calcutta- The principles of our new 'relations are now fully recognised: 'the details will soon find their level.' (Letter, 9th June, 1836.) Per "In reviewing the ecclesiastical relations of the Church Missionary Society, there are two or three points which it seems very important to notice. "1. Missionary operations, as they are conducted by the Church Missionary Society, though apparently anomalous in the system of the Church of England, are yet in strict conformity with its constitution and principles: they are analogous to many other instances of voluntary exertion for the extension of true religion within the church, in which ecclesiastical authority and lay-co-operation unite for the accomplishment of the same end: so that these operations may be regarded as the acts of the Church of England, putting forth its energy for the conversion of the heathen world. For it has been shown, that the bishops of the church, under the authority of the law of the land, ordain and send forth our missionaries-that these missionaries are licensed and superintended abroad, in every case where it is practicable, by colonial bishops of the Church of England; as are the other clergymen of the church officiating in the same colony. The services which the missionaries perform are in strict conformity with the ritual and discipline of the church. Even in the few cases in which Lutheran clergymen are employed, this rule is observed; and all the congregations which are gathered into the fold of Christ are trained up as members of the church established in this land. "And here it may be observed, that nothing less than the sanction of a duly-assembled convocation can more fully identify the acts of any missionary society, within the Church of England, with the church.* Without such sanction, all associations of churchmen must stand in the same position. Still further, not to notice the present abeyance of convocations, it may be asserted, that even if the church were to assemble in her provincial convocations, and to decree and to regulate missionary operations, such proceedings could not essentially add to, or alter, those important particulars which, under present circumstances, entitle the operations of the Church Missionary Society to be regarded as missionary operations of the * The American Episcopal Church has, in convention, thus identified itself with a missionary society. United Church of England and Ireland. "2. It must be ever borne in mind, that missionary operations are, in their very nature, temporary and preparative;-that they are to be gradually but eventually superseded by a different order of things, when the heathen nations shall have become christianized. In some cases, as in the West Indies, this change is further advanced than in others. Now, it must be expected, that, in proportion as this change advances, difficulties and perplexities will arise in our ecclesiastical relations, peculiar to this transition state-from missionary operations, to that happy consummation when there shall be an endowed and established system of Christian instruction, and a territorial division of ministerial labour. This consummation the Church Missionary Society has ever kept in view, and devoutly desired; and, as far as possible, has prepared for its approach. In an interview with the bishop of Barbadoes (April 1835), this point was expressly alluded to; and it was stated by the committee to his lordship, that whenever a district should be brought into the state of an organized Christian community, it should assume entirely the parochial form, and cease to be occupied as a missionary station. The bishop entirely acquiesced in this view; and only expressed his anxiety that it should not be so acted upon as prematurely to deprive a district of the missionary's services.' (Extract from Committee's Minute,) "3. Lastly, it must be evident, from a review of the whole subject, that our ecclesiastical relations depend, in many important respects, upon a mutual confidence and good understanding between the committee and its representatives, and the ecclesiastical authorities both at home and abroad. This must be the case, to argue upon no higher grounds, while those relations are governed by ecclesiastical laws and canons made without reference to missionary operations, for an established church in a Christian country; and where so much is also necessarily left to the discretion of both parties. If we look to our home operations, the committee places confidence in the bishop of London, that he will continue to ordain the missionary candidates introduced to his lordship by the society according to the provisions of the Act: and the lord bishop of London relies upon the committee's using every means to select, train, and duly qualify proper candidates to be thus introduced to him. "So also, in its foreign operations, the society places confidence in the colonial bishops (as it has been already shown, in a quotation from the letter of bishop Wilson), that they will not exercise an unreasonable or arbitrary discretion, in withholding or withdrawing licenses from our missionaries, or in refusing ordination to our candidates. And the bishops, by granting licenses and ordination to the missionaries of a voluntary society, whose income is liable to fluctuations, and whose agents are constantly changing, manifestly place confidence in the committees, that they will use every endeavour to keep up the missions once established; and that they will not, on their part, act in an unreasonable or arbitrary manner, or withdraw the salary from a licensed missionary, without reason sufficient to prove to the licensing bishop the necessity of the proceeding. "It seems impossible to supersede this conventional understanding (as it may be termed), till missions are supported by endowments, or till a code of missionary canons be established by competent authority. "This mutual confidence and good understanding now exists, it may be thankfully asserted, between the committee of the society and the ecclesiastical authorities of every colonial diocese in which missionaries are labouring. And may He, who is the God, 'not of confusion, but of peace,' and 'the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls,' unite together the hearts and hands of those who are labouring in this holy cause that all and every of these may, in their several callings, serve truly and painfully, to the glory of his name!'"-(Appendix to Thirtyninth Report, pp. 135-139.) H. V. The British and Foreign Bible Society, a Was established in 1804, its object is, exclusively, to promote the circulation of the holy Scriptures, of the authorized versions, without note or comment, both at home and abroad. Its depository is 10, Earl street, Blackfriars, London. One guinea annually constitutes member. Members are entitled to purchase Bibles and Testaments at reduced prices, according to the amount of their annual subscriptions. Donors of ten guineas have the same privileges as annual subscribers of one guinea: and donors of fifty pounds as those who subscribe five guineas annually. The London Society for Promoting Christianity amongst the Jews, Established 1808, was originally formed under the title of "The London Society, for the purposes of visiting and relieving the sick and distressed, and instructing the ignorant, especially such as are of the Jewish nation:" it was subsequently established for "the relieving the temporal distresses of the Jews, and the promotion of their spiritual welfare," and was called, "The London Society for Promoting Christianity amongst the Jews." This title it has since continued to bear, but the sole object of the institution now is, "the spiritual welfare of the Jews." The object it seeks to promote is, "to make known the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." The means which are adopted for this purpose, in dependence on the divine blessing, are the circulation of the Scriptures, the liturgy of the Church of England, and religious tracts, among the Jews-the establishment of schools-the sending out missionaries to the Jews-domiciliary visits and friendly discussions and conversation. Our Scriptural liturgy has been translated into Hebrew, and is used in the episcopal chapel, Bethnal-green, and in several other places. The Prayer Book and Homily Society, Instituted 1813, for the sole purpose of distributing, gratis, and circulating, at reduced prices, throughout the British empire, its colonies and dependencies, and particularly in his majesty's navy and army, the authorized formularies of the United Church of England and Ireland, without note or comment; viz., the Book of Common Prayer, including the thirty-nine Articles, and the Homilies, in separate sermons, or in the entire volume. Every person subscribing annually the sum of one guinea, is a member; a benefactor of ten guineas, a member for life; an annual subscriber of five guineas, a governor; every clergyman subscribing half-a-guinea annually is considered a member; and every clergyman contributing a congregational collection is entitled to receive, without further payment, three-fourths of the amount in books, at cost price. All applications should be addressed to 4, Exeter Hall, Strand, London. The Bristol Church of England Tract Society, Was instituted at Bristol, 1811. Its object is to circulate in a cheap form, among the poor members of the Church of England, her homilies, the lives of her reformers and martyrs, extracts from their writings, and from the publications of her bishops; with such short pieces illustrative of the primitive history, constitution, and discipline of the church, as the committee may approve. Every subscriber of half-a-guinea annually is a member. Subscribers are entitled to purchase any quantity of the society's books, at reduced prices. Any person contributing a congregational collection is entitled to receive tracts at subscribers' prices, to the value of two-thirds of such collection. The London depository is Messrs. Seeley, 169, Fleet-street, London. The Church Pastoral-Aid Society, Established 1836. The object of this society is "the salvation of souls, with a single eye to the glory of God, and in humble dependence on his blessing, by granting aid towards maintaining faithful and devoted men to assist the incumbents of parishes in their pastoral charge." The following regulations, &c. will fully explain the nature of this most useful institution :- The object of this society shall be to promote the religious influence of the United Church, by such methods only as it may be competent to a voluntary society to employ in entire consistency with her discipline and order. That, with this view, authentic and exact information shall be sought, relative to such portions of the population as may be most destitute of religious instruction; and such aid rendered to the clergy in the discharge of their duties as they may be desirous to accept, and the society may have it in its power to render; no aid being given except so far as local exertions shall be found to be incompetent to the necessities of the case. No grant from the society's funds for the benefit of any parish or district can be made, unless the incumbent himself shall apply, or sanction the application for aid, and shall furnish to the committee sufficient proof of the exigencies of the case. The nomination of an assistant shall always be left with the clergyman to whom aid is given, the committee claiming only full satisfaction as to the qualifications of his nominee, who, when approved, will be under engagement only to the clergyman by whom he is employed, and solely responsible to him. Grants from the society towards the support of an assistant are made to the clergyman to whom aid is given, and are voted for one year. Circular to Applicants for Aid. REV. SIR, Temple Chambers, Falcon-court, Fleet-street. I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the -, before submitting which to the committee, I am desired to request, for their information and guidance, the favour of your replies to the following questions, on which, as well as any other points bearing on your application, the fullest particulars are solicited. You will observe by the foregoing regulations, that the society's grants are made only for one year, subject to renewal according to the circumstances of the case and the means of the society, upon due representation of the necessity of continued aid. All grants will become payable through the incumbent, or parochial minister to whom aid is given. All applications must be made by, or have the express concurrence of, the incumbent of the parish or district for which aid is solicited. The society desires, if possible, in every case of clerical assistance, that additional church services, as well as increased pastoral visitation, be secured; and that the curates engaged by its help be resident, and wholly devoted to the work of the ministry in the parish or district for which aid is requested. In cases where aid has reference to distant townships or hamlets, it is important that the curates be, if possible, resident in the midst of their population. If your object be the engagement of a lay-assistant, the committee beg your particular attention to the circumstance that the society designs "that a lay-assistant is simply to be employed as a district visitor, tract distributor, and Scripture reader, and by no means as a public instructor or preacher." It may happen, that for those duties an incumbent can more beneficially obtain the services of a suitable person or persons, to give only a portion, instead of the whole of their time, on proportionate remuneration, which has an advantage of not withdrawing them wholly from their ordinary callings: of this, however, each incumbent is best able to decide in his own particular case. |