Dr. Forbes, Bishop of Brechin, has not a bad notion
of -a compromise. The Scottish Episcopalian Church, like the Church of Ireland, is just now very much agitated about the eplace of the "laity" in the ecclesiastical system. They wish to be represented as in Ireland, in the Synods, and the Bishops are delivering their views on the proposal. Among the west, Dr. Forbes has delivered a pastoral charge, in which he hints that the lay demand is another proof of the " restlessness " of men's minds ; asserts that it is the business of the laity to hear and obey and of ecclesiastics to teach and command ; declares that "mixed marriages," i.e., marriages between Presbyterians and Episcopalians, "keep low the tone of Church thought ;" Tweets that the consideration accorded in Scotland to the .clergyman is "too often owing to the blameless life he leads ;" doubts if even the clergy ought to sit in the Synod, bishops alone having divine right, but still is willing to make all the conoessions he can. Provided that they are silent on all -questions of doctrine, discipline, and ritual, there are "some ques- tions on which the laity may properly exercise themselves," and "it may be asked if there are reasons why this exercise should not take synodical form." If the laity like to be representative -dummies, entitled only to " consent " to clerical action, the worthy bishop sees no particular objection. Neither do we ; but, then, you see, they don't like it ; and as they happen to be the Church de facto, as well as de jure, that makes a difference.
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