The Rev. Mr. Pullen's plan, preferred under the especial patronage of the Lord Chancellor, exceeds, in liberality, that of Lord Henley ! If a "portio congrua"-the old expression of the monks -be not sufficient, let the deficiency be supplied by Chapter property!" quoth this equitable, well-read, and trenchant Vicar ! Further, "That twelve new Bishops, without diocese, or other cure, be chosen to legislate in the House of Peers "!* Quære, What is to support them when the ancient lands and freeholds are taken away? I here resign the pen. March 20th, 1833. There is some advantage in having, in one House of Parliament at least, those who can give an answer to the flippancies and abuse of those high-minded and united peers-Lords King and Teynham! A LETTER TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE LORD HENLEY CHIEFLY RELATING TO CATHEDRAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND CHOIR-SERVICES, OCCASIONED BY SOME PASSAGES IN HIS LATE Plan of Church Reform. MY LORD, I DID not meet with the publication, containing your Lordship's PLAN of CHURCH REFORM, till the title-page announced the FOURTH edition; and although this circumstance is a proof that its arguments have made a considerable impression on the public mind, and though it may appear somewhat late to address your Lordship on the subject, yet that subject, brought forward with the weight of a name so highly respectable, at a period so deeply affecting that Church in which, with prayers for its prosperity as fervent as your B own, I know not how soon my eyes may be closed-has induced me, from a sense of duty, leaving other studies, to request your attention to some observations, particularly on that portion of the church-establishment, which my Lord King, less courteously calls, "trumpery Deans and Chapters" !* With regard to what I shall say, I can have no possible interest, for your Lordship, in front of your Bill of Reformation, most honourably proposes, "That no ecclesiastical person whatever shall be in any man"ner affected by this Act in respect to any right or interest " which he may have at the time of passing the Act, except "with his own consent." Notwithstanding this most just and fair consideration, it does not require the caustic pen of Junius to describe what must be his feelings who could console himself under the thought of the injury to those establishments, which, in a Christian country, have, as I hope to prove, rendered the greatest service to that country, and its religious interests-with the selfish reflection, that they would "last his time!" * See also my Lord Teynham's liberal denunciation of " useless Cathedrals!!" We know of what use Lord Teynham's groom may be, but, in the name of God, of what "use" is he? In what I shall further observe, I beg to state explicitly, that if any word should escape me apparently inconsistent with that respect which is due to your Lordship's station and character, I beseech you to consider it not as arising from want of veneration for that character, but as called forth, in some passages, by the subject alone; and here let us thank you, my Lord, for the noble testimony you have borne to the Clergy when speaking of the advantages derived from the learning and piety of those, who, chiefly from these despised chapters, have so often issued forth, in the panoply of Christian arms, age after age, to defend the bulwarks of Christianity, and you will believe that, in common with so many others--though I might disagree with the principles of your plan, I should be the last to detract from the ingenuous and sincere avowal of those principles. Your Lordship's DEDICATION to his Majesty William IV. will and ought to occupy the first place in our thoughts, for, to show the entire consciousness of the rectitude of your views on the question of Church Reform, your Plan is inscribed to the HEAD of that Church over all upon earth, whom we acknowledge causes, as well ecclesiastical as civil, supreme. To this "Sovereign over all causes," and Head of our Church upon earth, you present your Plan of Reform, I doubt not, with the same consciousness of having done your duty as that learned and venerable Prelate, who, on his knees, presented the translation of the Bible to King James. But, my Lord, here we must pause. Can you, indeed, "safely affirm" that "no one whose 66 outward life and conversation evince that pure and peaceful wisdom which comes from "above, has ever expressed any disapprobation " of the extent to which your plan is carried ?" Those with whom you take counsel may have informed you this, but if it be so, what are they to do, "whose outward life and con"versation is as pure and peaceable" as your own, who yet scruple not to express most decided disapprobation-both to the spirit, and to the "extent," to which your plan is carried! Therefore neither they nor I can be, in your Lordship's opinion, "amongst those whose life and conversation evince that pure and peaceful wisdom which comes from above!" I take the liberty to mention this, as it is only |