We observe with satisfaction that the Church Congress is to
hold a discussion at Newcastle in October, on the advantages -and disadvantages of the establishment of a Church by the State. We hold, and have long held, that the advantages preponderate; but none but pure partisans would deny that 'there is a considerable per contra account, which the Rev. Malcolm MaeColl has promised to give some account of to the 'Congress. The Daily News, however, had mistakenly assumed that he was going to advocate Disestablishment, having been mis- led by seeing his name attached, at the request of the Committee, to the adverse side of the argument, a mistake which he himself has since corrected. A contemporary, which has never forgiven him for seeing an impaled Turk on the banks of the Save, took occasion of the error of the Daily News to charge Mr. MacColl with vulgarly advertising himself by sending information of his -own doings to the columns of our contemporary. The sharp- sightedness of vindictiveness is, however, very apt to be mis- leading, and clearly went a-blundering in this case. We know no ..clergyman in the Establishment who is more free from the charge of self-seeking than Mr. MacColl. We believe, indeed, that he has sacrificed very substantial chances of a promotion worthy of Cs abilities, to his great zeal for the truth. Clerical politicians, however high-minded and earnest, are too often fought shy of by their friends in the State, as well as punished by their foes. We suggest this as one item for the consideration of the Church 'Congress, though Mr. MacColl would be the last to remember it.
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