7 MAY 1870, Page 3

"A Beneficed Clergyman," in a letter to the Pall Mall

Gazette of Monday, explains the general outline of a reform by which those friends of the National Church who have a prescience of the future, hope to enable it to set its house in order, that on the day of reckoning, the people may rally round it, rather than to the ranks of its assailants. The first great change proposed is for every parish to elect a council which might have power to vote any change in the mode of celebrating the service, and in conjunction with the bishop to enforce any such otherwise legal change. The next reforms would be the abolition of clerical subscription ; the removal of all practical disabilities arising from what is called the 4 indelibility of orders "; the discontinuance of the use of the Athanasian Creed, which, like unlighted candles on the altar, might remain in the Prayer-Book as a "documentary standard," on -condition it were not recited ; and a right to each incumbent to ask laymen to preach for him. The last class of reforms proposed would consist of practical reforms, such as the subdivision of the larger dioceses, —a modification of the forms of electing and con- firming bishops, &c. We hope these suggestions will draw many to the consideration of a plan which bids fair to put a National Church on, at least, a quasi-national basis. It has already received the adhesion of some most eminent clergymen and Members of Parliament. At present, the National Church is only comprehensive by accident.