16 FEBRUARY 1867, Page 3

The Bishops have been in session this week in the

Upper House of Convocation on the proposed Anglican Synod and on. Diocesan Synods. On the proposed Anglican Synod,—or Council, as the enthusiasts prefer to call it,—the Upper House is rather cautious. The Archbishop of Canterbury repudiated on Tuesday the idea of a synod to make canons for the Church, " for that would be in direct opposition to the authority of the Crown." Even on the smaller question of diocesan synods the Bishops are not enthusiastic. The Bishop of St. David's even stated that " for himself he would not bind himself to any course of action, whether the most learned men, the most profonnd theologicans, or, if he might say it reverently, even angels, recommended it." How- ever, angels certainly won't recommend it. The Bishop's mind was no doubt on the traces of that saying as to a class of mortals who step in " where angels fear to tread." Angels would very justly feel exceedingly reluctant to tread the floor of a diocesan synod, and they would never be so mean as to recom- mend to bishops what they would not venture on themselves.