17 FEBRUARY 1866, Page 3

The Archbishop of Canterbury has given an illustration of, the

-very small value which attaches, as the Dean of Westminster ob- serves, to Episcopal opinions on the Pentateuch, by writing to Dr. Colenso that he believes him to be " duly and canonically deposed from his spiritual office, according to the common law of the Church of Christ, as set forth in the concluding paragraph of the 26th Article of the Church of England." Now, the words re- ferred to are, " Nevertheless it appertaineth to the discipline of the Church that inquiry be made of evil ministers, and that they be accused by those that have knowledge of their -offences, and finally being found guilty, by just judgment be deposed." The whole Article, the last clause included, expressly refers to " wicked" ministers, and bears on disci- pline, not on doctrine. Does the Archbishop think Dr. Coleus° a wicked man for disbelieving that Moses wrote the Pen- tateuch? Does he think him so wicked, for instance, as the Bishop of Capetown, who asked the Propagation So3iety to strengthen his hands against the Bishop of Natal, by paying only those clergymen whose demands were endorsed by him, and then, when taxed with this shabby proceeding, denied that it had any but a financial purpose?