268 A FARMER'S YEAR 



however, that there are many people who would differ violently 

 from the opinions of Church of England progressives like myself, 

 although often enough these are founded on long and careful obser- 

 vation of the working of the present system in country parishes 

 and elsewhere. For my part, I think that the chief immediate 

 need of the Church and not less in villages than in towns is 

 discipline and uniformity of view and ritual, ends that can be 

 obtained by putting greater power into the hands of the bishops, 

 and still more by the readmission of the laity to what, as I believe, 

 was their ancient right, some real and effective share in its govern- 

 ment. At present they have none, for lay representatives are 

 naught, and churchwardens but pew-openers writ large. It seems 

 strange, for instance, that in a single parish, and under the authority 

 of the same rector, services of a very different tone and character 

 should be carried on in separate churches. And yet this happens. 

 Surely the service and the ritual should not be left to the individual 

 discretion of the clergyman ; surely they should be settled by the 

 bishop, or by a council of bishops, which might act with the 

 assistance and support of a council of the laity. Otherwise all is 

 confusion, religion is brought into contempt, and, as I have amply 

 experienced as a churchwarden, trouble and bitterness ensue. 



A man may be a moderate High Churchman and not object to 

 choral services and vestments, or even to incense which is sym- 

 bolical, yet it may be anathema to that same man to see a clergy- 

 man kissing a book, or some portion of his elaborate attire. 

 Another may overlook the kissing but will take grave offence at 

 the prostrations of priests or attendants before the altar, or to being 

 sprinkled with water, or to the leading of girls and young married 

 women into the confessional. And so forth. 



In religious as in other matters, quot homines tot sententia, but 



in 68th year. Population (census 1891), 598. Voluntary Church School. For 



further particulars apply to 



' Advowson, Suffolk. Life over 80. Gross 5oo/., net SOQ/. Pop. 500. 

 Rail, f mile. Beautiful rectory and grounds. For sale, half down, half on 

 vacancy, without interest. " Safeguard against Simony," 2nd Edit., 13 stamps. 

 , M.A., Cambridge.' 



