THE CJITJECH IN . 1 1VAN1. OF .A MisSIoN.
THEE scandals among the clergy, the controversies, the divided. agitations7-wbat, sire they' init signs of -seine internal uneasiness, some conscious want, some -"aching !void" P- The Staff of the Chokehlfeel that their vocation is in peril ;, which is not a satisfac- tory thought,' personally or ethically: • .They.ftel that the influence. of the Chun* has waned, is waning, and' ought to be increased.' They are convinced that the Establishm.ent ought not, to fall , through simple disintegration ; but they do find a difficulty in: making •a distinct answer to th_ e! question, on political grounds,' "Why should. the Church of , glad: exist P " On apostolieal grounds, the answer ,be easy ; - yet: there are too many sects to make even that a perfectly universal appeaL It Would' he far . better if the -Staff of• e Church performed some office of manifest.
Social ; not only for the :satisfaction of individual conscience;; but also for the eatinfaction of the politician public.
The ChareO, as a dweller amongst us socially, wants a mission.. Surely it is not difficult to devise such -a micsion. Many of the clergy individually furnish by -example hints towards elle. :It- might be practical, nnquestionably:useful, noble, and truly liar- monious with the spirit of a:Christian church. For instance, there are three mat courses of public conduct which the Staff of the Chureh.might actively take un, not in derogation but in further- ance of its sacred office ; and it might:combine:all three courses in one new and effective Church policy,. . It might educate the people-,--in-tber parish, in the church; .ae- cording, if it pleased, to the,doetrinmsif the Church otEngland, • and yet so charitably as to win rather than compel learners in its schools. The Church, -with its funds and social influence, ou'yhi furnish in every parish the best of all the parish schools for the young. It might, with its learning and its social position, furnish
the best of all schools for the practical tuition of the adult in the conduct of life ; for in that behalf the sermon is a vast field, as inviting and promising as it is uncultivated. With its learn- ing.a,Ad its Social knowledge, the'Established Church Might speak
to theiPoor of law—of the law inall 14Uds-'teaehiPE rolt11 to live more intelligently and 'better. Such parish activity is .pur- sned*ith the happiest success by Bennett of Knightsbridge; •Isuch ethical teaiihing, was uttered -froni,many a pulpit in the time of the • cholera : but if they were kept up in all parishes and at all sea- soils, the ac *on would no 10ger that of-individuals—it Windd be the ideliti dtOñ6f the Church E gishment. The clergy might,c,rwAr' MC' Lt=in being theii-ideiiit and coinpanion, 1.0 Biev:r_g;fil i.mate OfforWiirsolf-
improvement ; ' • ,,eltitbi 164;4g 6 rue
over eirixiteirelitsi— 'lid'. ire/
zealvigilancte, antiliCe rann y: so accomplished, and on thewhollorq able
-benefit ' they. TioOkL156tteii'citre; e Other The clerical Stiff might :tie immense unatfeind classes, better spirit in the aflficted,' be
fully accepf the jresent mov nitnt, inibilible.tate y
be thoughtin itii:exp6didnue. dzspukJcmDs pfthe Church 'and 4ibititioiiii,u'Of rebi, if Ala- cation ; aeoep _ proraise of.hie Ev kill ‘t. has set cP9i- prweq? 98, 971e so,,injue Social pamphlets, :without the slightest: compromise of his Chris- tianity.' Were the 'clergy as a body to do this, it could not fait to exercise a'powerful influenCe on the coiiree of the diseuskon, at all events to maintain for the Church of F./Timid its had
poSitien In the acted history of the country. • afire are three elements for a high and effeetive,poliev,•hy which the Church might assert Its protease' and vindicate' its right to share in the Service of the nation.