A largely attended Conference of Churchmen, presided over by the
Bishop of St. Albans, was held at the Jerusalem Chamber, Westminster Abbey, yesterday week, at which Lord Hugh Cecil read the Report of the Committee who since 1910 have been investigating the evil of simony. The Report showed that the Benefices Act of 1898 was not strong enough to cope with the evil. Advice had been given by the Committee, and forty-eight cases were being investi- gated, but no paid agents were employed, and all disputes were avoided which turned on ritual or doctrine, or appeared to be malicious attacks on innocent clergymen. On the motion of Lord Hugh Cecil, a Committee of laymen was appointed to work with the Church Reform League and the Benefices Act Committee with a view to securing remedial legislation. We are most heartily with the Committee in their good work. Though the scandal is not so grave as malicious tongues and pens would have us believe, it is a scandal and ought to be abated, and without delay.
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