The Committee appointed by the General Conference of the Irish
Church has drawn up a draft constitution for the future government of that body. We have analyzed its main pro- visions elsewhere, but may here state that its general effect is one of efficiency partly marred by a clerical tendency,—especially visible in the election of Bishops,—and by an excessive conser- vatism. The authority of the Bishop is very carefully protected, —no act, for example, of a diocesan synod being valid without his consent, and the only appeal from him being to his brethren assembled in "College." There is to be a stustentation fund, and it. is asserted that to bring it up to the mark required, every Church- man must subscribe 2 per cent. of his income, 5d. in the pound, which seems exorbitant. The constitution has still to be sub- mitted to a convention, in which it will be debated clause by clause, with the result, in all probability, of further strengthening lay power.
