Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 07.djvu/121

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ENGLAND, CHURCH OF. «.)9 ENGLAND, CHURCH OF. her members fell — not unnaturally, perhaps— into something like lethargy. Krom this eondi- tion she was aroused in the middle of the century by sueh men of intellectual ability as Butler, Waterlaiul, Berkeley, Warburton, .and Conybeare, as also by the saintly life of Wilson. Bishop of Sodor and Man. and the devoid writings of Wil- liam Law. Tillotson, although belonging to the previous century, was still influential through his writings. It is not necessary to trace the history, in this connect ion, of what is known as Methodism (q.v.), but it, must, be taken into consideration in forming a correct idea of the Church's real condition at this period. While both John Wes- ley and his brother Charles never left the com- munion of their Mother Church, and uttered the most severe and solemn denunciations against any of their followers who should do SO, and should dare to set up a new organization outside of I lie Church, yet doubtless they would -have been more enthusiastic churchmen than they were (Charles was more consistent than John) had I here been more sympathetic appreciation of their devout aspirations and unselfish labors. What is known as the Evangelical School arose at the close of the eighteenth cen- tal v. and was a dominant factor in the Church for a full generation. Some of its most famous adherents were Cecil, Venn, Mil- ner. Newton, and Simeon. It met an unde- niable want, and contributed much to the advan- tage of the Church. The Tractarian (sometimes called, from its source, the Oxford) movement — so named from the publication from 1833 to 1841 of a series of 'Tracts for the Times' — did very much to arouse the latent energy of the Church, and to prepare her for availing herself of her greal opportunities. Pusey. Keble, Newman. Wil- liams are names that stand for the restoration of a Catholic faith not less essential to the Church than the Gospel truths which the others rightly magnified. The remainder of the nineteenth century was filled with events of great interest and import- ance, and with characters illustrious for their talents and virtues. It is completely covered by the reign of Queen Victoria. During the period there were constant heated controversies over such matters as the Catholic Emancipation Act (1827 and later), the disestablishment of the Irish Church (which went into effect in 1871), the re- moval of disabilities from Jews and atheists, the Essays and Reviews (containing nothing par- ticularly new, but attracting wide attention because' of their distinguished authors), the Gor- ham Judgment as to baptismal regeneration, the excommunication of Bishop Colenso for his views of the inspiration of Holy Scripture, the Public Worship Regulation Act (1874), the Lincoln judgment (1802) dealing with ceremonial acts in the celebration of the Holy Communion, the unsuccessful attempts to disestablish the Church in Wales, and religious education in the State- supported schools. The Church, however, has not been so much occupied with these exciting controversies as to overlook the constantly enlarging demands upon it for work at home and abroad. In its mis- sionary enterprises of all kinds, in its charitable and educational schemes, in the multiplication and endowment of new dioceses and parishes. a,nd in the development of the spiritual side of Hs life, no period can -how more zeal and lib erality. With all this energy, there would seen to be a growing charity among those thai differ honestly from each other. That there are these differences appears fur ther from the existence no! only of what are called the High and Low Church parties, but also of what is known as the Broad Church party, the progenitor of which was Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and which has numbered among it- members Julius Charles Hare, Whewell, Thirlwall. Arnold, Stanley. Maurice, Kingsley, and Robertson. (II her names — such as Samuel Wilberforce, Liddon, Palmer. Church, Christopher Words- worth. Lightfoot, Stubbs, Bright, Westcott, Ma- gee, Butler, Hook, Burgon, Nealc — will recall men who. as prelates, preachers, scholars, and pa-tors, have been worthy of the best days of the Church. , For such an organization as the Church of England, there is an amazingly small amount of ecclesiastical law. There is no formal document styled Constitutions. Of canons — enacted at vari- ous periods, many of them before the year 1004 — there are nearly one hundred and fifty. Parlia- ment may, with the sanction of the sovereign, impose upon the Church any law. Convocations (q.v.) are called for the purpose of discussing ecclesiastical matters, and of advising the Crown concerning them. Their discussions, no matter how influential, cannot directly eventuate in law. The diocesan conferences and synods (the former com- posed of elected clergymen and laymen, the latter of clergymen alone) may likewise take action binding upon the conscience. The houses of lay- men seek to give counsel to the convocations in matters of practical importance. The functions of the Church Congress are confined entirely to the consideration of ecclesiastical topics. There are two archbishops ( q.v. ) . As Metropoli- tan, the Archbishop of Canterbury had under him in 1902 44 bishops, with 24 dioceses. The Archbishop of York had 17 bishops, with 9 dioceses. Next in dignity to the bishops are the archdeacons and deans (q.v.). Then follow can- ons, prebendaries, rectors, vicars, and curates. The right of presentation to parochial benefices is almost wholly in the hands of certain clerical or lav persons or bodies called 'patrons' of the 'liv- ing.' ( See Patronage, Ecclesiastical. ) In ad- dition to the clerical officers already named, there are church wardens, sidesmen, and parish clerks. The last-mentioned are rapidly disappearing. There are voluntary organizations, not recognized by law. called church boards or parochial councils, who act as advisers and helpers to the clergymen and church-wardens. The vestry of each parish is a body whose membership and meetings are open to all rate-payers, and whose functions are largely civil. They have, among other things. the"se'ttlement of church rates, which, after all, are voluntary and cannot be recovered by law. Because of the existence of large endowments, many congregations are wholly or partially re- lieved from the necessity of contributing to the support of the clergy, and are. therefore, the more free to give to other ecclesiastical objects. The annual income from endowments is esti- mated to be something like £4.500.000. Of this sum the tithes and voluntary rents, as provided for by members of the Church before the Refor- mation would amount to nearly £2.000.000. To