The proceedings of the Church Congress held this year at
Shrewsbury have been unusually interesting. We have noticed elsewhere the vigorous protests made against the recent Papal Bull, and we notice below the best paper read in the Congress,—Canon Gore's, on the Evolution in Reli- gion, which, however, to be enjoyed must be read in extenso, and have space only to mention the debate on patronage, which strikes us as remarkable for a certain accord of opinion. All speakers denounced the sale of livings, all were willing to give the laity some voice in making appoint ments, and all, rather to our surprise, favoured the creation of a Board of Patronage, to be partly, at least, elective. If any great change is ever made, it will, we think, be in that direction, the laity being too jealous of the Bishops to allow of the only alternative except election by parishes, which is too congregational. Should such a Board be found to meet the views of the Church at large, we should not despair of its creation, for the difficulty of com- pensating the owners of advowsons cannot be very serious. Half of them would surrender their right, and the value of the remainder could not reach a sum beyond the means of pious Churchmen to subscribe. As was carefully pointed out, men will pay pounds for an immediate right to present, which is illegal, but only pennies for a vague right which may never fall in.
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