A GRAVE DANGER TO THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND.
[To THE EDITOR OF THU "SPECTATOR?'1
Sin,—The Spectator has always shown itself interested in the welfare and influence of the Church of England, and I venture to ask for its sympathy in a matter closely touching that in- fluence,—I mean, the present system of promotion in the ranks of the clergy, or rather (for there would seem to be no system), the bap-hazard way in which high positions in the Church have been for some time past filled. It would be un- becoming to instance particular names; but all Churchmen looking back (if only on the past twelve months) will recall appointments to bishoprics, deaneries, and canonries, the- announcement of -which has been received by almost all parties with blank amazement. Many of these appointments- have admitted of so little apology, that even those most willing to defend them from party sympathy have been con- strained to shrug their shoulders, and hope that the prefer- ments would not turn out as badly as was feared.
There are, I suppose, two separate theories of Church pro- motion, for both of which something may be pleaded. One is,.that which looks to getting the man best fitted by ability, learning, and character for the post vacant. The other is, that which looks upon a post of dignity and emolument as the proper reward for some man who has done long and worthy service in some subordinate sphere, even though he should not be ideally qualified for the place. In the former of these cases, the interest of the post is considered first; in the second, the interest of the candidate. It may be admitted that there is something to be said for both theories, though the former should surely have prior consideration; and when a man can be found combining all these qualifications, there, no doubt, is the ideal appointment.
And, happily, we have still with us, or fresh in memory, honoured names showing that Prime Ministers have been willing to recognise ability and desert in men wholly worthy of their preferment. We have only to recall the names of Lightfoot and Westcott, Church and Liddon, Magee and Fraser,—men widely differing in ability and special faculties, but whom hardly the sourest fanatic would pronounce un- worthy of the honours that fell to them. But unless the race of men of ability and accomplishment be dying out, no excuse can be offered for not at least aiming to fill high places with worthy successors to these. For it is a fact beyond question that these high places are now frequently filled with men, however estimable in life and character, of third or fourth- rate ability and intellect.
It is not, I repeat, a question of character or devoutness. But it is no defence of such appointments to urge character and devotion as sufficient qualification. What would be said of a Lord Chancellor who appointed a barrister to one of the higher judgeships on the ground that he bore such an un- spotted character ? Men at the head of a diocese, or forming the staff of a cathedral in some great city, have a work to do affording scope for every power, gift, and attainment which they can bring to it. Our cathedrals might well be schools of preaching ; but how seldom is a man appointed there because of this rare power, even in our great cities, where the influence of a preacher and thinker (not orator alone) over the large audiences that so readily assemble there, might be, for it has been in time past, of incalculable good.
I wish, Sir, for the moment to be brief, and to hope that perhaps this letter may call forth more influential opinion than mine on the question. I know that many besides myself have contemplated some recent preferments with disappointment, and something like dismay, and regard the present method of promotion as one of the gravest dangers threatening the Church of England. For it at once discourages men of real mark from entering the profession, and it makes boundless sport for the many and various enemies of the Church. For when they see how she is officered, they not unnaturally ask, with real or affected contempt : "If these are your Generals and Captains, what must your rank and file be ?"—I am, Sir,
A CHURCHMAN.
[We entirely agree with the general drift of our corre- spondent's criticism, but we do not think he allows enough weight to the doctrine that each of the theological schools in the Church is entitled to a certain recognition in the official appointments, even though one or more of them may not con- tain men of the same general standard of capacity as the other schools .—E n. Spectator.]
Previous page
