CHAPTER VI
THE REV. GEORGE BAYFIELD ROBERTS
Vicar of Elmstone, and Chairman of the Canon Law Committee of the E.C.U.
THE ENGLISH CHURCH UNION AND ITS STORY.
“To be of no Church is dangerous. Religion, of which the rewards are distant, and which is animated only by Faith and Hope, will glide by degrees out of the mind, unless it be invigorated and reimpressed by external ordinances, by stated calls to worship and the salutary influence of example.”—Dr Johnson (Life of Milton).
Childhood's Associations with Musical Celebrities—Musical Bent descends from Father to Son—Inhibited by Mr D'Oyly Carte from conducting Savoy Operas—A Gift from the Emperor of Germany—Active in the Literary World—Effect of the Educational Policy of the Liberal Party on Churchmen—Mid-Century Efforts to restore Catholic Doctrine and Discipline—Break-up of Coalition of Churchmen in Defence of Church Education—E.C.U. established in 1860—Aims and Objects, Growth and Government—No Party Shibboleths—Laity hold more Advanced Views than Clergy—Dr Pusey and the Union—Position of Privy Council on Church Matters—Delivering the Death-blow to Rampant Erastianism—About Catholic Ceremonial and Incense—Athanasian Creed saved at Remarkable Meeting—Why Bishops quit the E.C.U.—Bishop Gore's Case—Bishop of Lincoln remains—Spread of the Movement in America—Important Questions for the Future.
According to Burke's Visitation of Arms (ed. 1854), the Rev. G. Bayfield Roberts is descended,
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