THE ENGLISH CHURCH QUESTION CONSIDERED.* 



THIS unpretending little pamphlet contains much simple and 

 useful advice, and given in a tone of great candour and good-will. 

 It strictly answers to its title, for it is ajuere collection of hints, and 

 not a complete plan ; and it is really addressed equally to churchmen 

 and dissenters, being written in a spirit equally friendly to both. 

 The author sets out by urging that apparently self-evident, but con- 

 stantly forgotten truth, that we ought to give our chief care to the 

 most important things, and drop minor differences till we have settled 

 the weightier. Having thus conciliated both classes of his readers, 

 he thus states his object, and offers the following highly useful 

 suggestion : 



" This essay will treat solely on the change which is avowedly neces- 

 sary in the administration of the temporal affairs of the church of England. 

 With regard to differences of a spiritual nature, I beg here publicly to re- 

 quest, that in furtherance of that principle of our faith which bids us be in 

 peace and charity with all me, disssnters, of whatever denomination, will 

 address to me as the author of this essay, under cover, to the publisher, a 

 statement of what they consider to be the grievances under which they 

 severally labour, and what remedies they would suggest. And I here 

 pledge myself, as far as in my power lies, methodically to arrange the 

 same, or such of the same as shall appear most worthy of record, which I 

 will then give to the public, with such observations or suggestions as may 

 appear to me to be requisite, leaving it to the general voice of the com- 

 munity at large to decide the question." 



He attributes the defects in the temporal affairs of the church to 

 three main causes : pluralism, the consequent non-residence of the 

 beneficed clergy, and the inequality with which the remuneration to 

 the ministry is distributed. 



But first he premises, we think rather unwisely, that the church 

 and state are so interwoven, that no separation between them can be 

 made, and that to expel the bishops from the House of Lords is 

 " absolutely doing away with the constitution itself, and throwing 

 us on the wild waves of anarchy." However, agreeing with him in 

 his main principles, and having no wish for the separation of church 

 and state, we are not disposed to dispute trifles with him, as he 

 agrees with us in the practical part of the question, that " this ad- 

 herence to the general principles of our constitution by no means 

 blinds, or should blind us to the necessity of these changes which 

 time, and the consequent alteration in manners, habits, and improved 

 intellectual acquirements imperatively render necessary." 



His plan is, first, to abolish pluralities, and enforce residence. 

 Secondly, to have the working clergy better provided for ; and, for 

 this purpose, to abolish all sinecures on the death or resignation of 



Hints on Church llzform, addressed to Churchmen and Dissenters. 

 Hatchard. 



