done with great assiduity and zeal, to the interests of life assurance. He was chosen President of the Equitable Life Assurance Society at its organization in 1859, and remained in that office till his death; and, by his commanding influence, and his rare executive ability, won for it an unprecedented success. Though an elegant and forcible writer, and an eloquent speaker, he had published very little beyond occasional addresses and arguments. He took a deep interest in education generally, and especially in the prosperity of Princeton College. He made the address of welcome to President McCosh on his inauguration, which was an eloquent and enthusiastic greeting, although he had but a few hours for its preparation. He received the honorary degree of LL. D. from Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., in 1860.

AMERICA. The progress of affairs in the States of North America was attended with no unusual event. A favorable summer resulted in large and abundant harvests. In the United States some disturbances arose with small parties of Indians, and in Louisiana the dissatisfaction with the State government continued, and required the presence of a small force of the United States troops. A disturbance also arose at Vicksburg, between blacks and whites (see MISSISSIPPI). The question of mixed schools of white and black children was extensively discussed in the Southern States, in anticipation of the passage of a "civil rights act by Congress. Financial affairs throughout the country continued in an uncertain state, and a general embarrassment prevailed. The relations with foreign governments have been of the most peaceful character.

With the exception of the Plate provinces, where absolute tranquillity has been unknown since the Paraguayan War, the whole of South America has enjoyed a year of profound peace; and it would seem as if political turmoils and internecine strifes had at last ceased to be the normal occupation of the people, and were about to give place to the development of those inexhaustible natural resources which rank the South-American states among the richest and most beautiful in the world. Industrial enterprise is carried on with unabating energy in Chili and Peru, and commercial intercourse is rapidly extending between all the countries and the United States and Europe. Railways and telegraphs are multiplying in Brazil, Uruguay, Peru, Chili, and the Argentine Republic; and a concession was granted in the course of 1874, for the construction of a line of railway to unite the Atlantic and Pacific seaboards, bringing Buenos Ayres within sixty hours of Valparaiso. The completion of the submarine cable from Lisbon to Pernambuco has put almost all of South America in direct connection with the great telegraphic net-work of our globe; and local lines are fast extending the links to every corner of the country. Education is the object of much zeal in all the states; and in

this respect Mexico is among the foremost; nor are the five Central-American states, spite of their endless international disputes, forgetful of the happy results to be obtained by the diffusion of useful knowledge. Large appropriations have been made during the year for the construction of school-houses, and the im-. portation of books and teachers, for which purpose agents have already been dispatched to the United States by more than one of those little republics.

An alliance between the republics of the Pacific and Atlantic had been suggested for the avowed purpose of protecting republican principles in all of them; but, notwithstanding some diplomatic steps already taken, it is not probable that the project will receive much serious consideration.

ANGLICAN CHURCHES. The Public Worship Regulation Act.-On the 20th of April the Archbishop of Canterbury introduced in the House of Lords a bill for the better administration of the laws respecting the regulation of public worship. He supported it with a strong argument, showing the neces sity for additional legislation to suppress irregularities in ritual, and preserve the peace and harmony of the Church. The bill was long and fully discussed in the House of Lords, and passed its third reading toward the end of June. In the House of Commons, it was again subjected to a rigorous scrutiny. Of the speeches made in this House, that of Mr. Gladstone against the bill, on the 9th of July, and that of Mr. Disraeli in favor of it, on the 16th of July, received the most attention. The bill passed the House of Commons on the 3d of August, having received some amendments which were concurred in without delay by the House of Lords, and it became a law on the 7th of August. It is commonly cited by its shorter title, as "The Public Worship Regulation Act, 1874." It provides that the Archbishops of Canterbury and York may, with the approval of her Majesty, or that her Majesty may, if the archbishops fail to act, appoint a suitably-qualified person to be, during good behavior, a judge of the Provincial Courts of Canterbury and York. In case of a vacancy in the office of official principal of the Arches Court of Canterbury, or of official principal or auditor of the Chancery Court of York, or of Master of the Faculties to the Archbishop of Canterbury, this judge shall become ex officio such official, principal, auditor, or Master of the Faculties. The judge, before entering upon his office, must file a declaration that he is a member of the Church of England. It is further provided that "if the archdeacon of the archdeaconry, or a church-member of the parish, or any three parishioners within which archdeaconry or parish any church or burialground is situated, or for the use of any part of which any burial-ground is legally provided, or in case of cathedral or collegiate churches, any three inhabitants of the diocese," being

members of the Church of England, male persons of full age, and qualified by residence, "shall be of the opinion-1. That in such church any alteration in or addition to the fabric, ornaments, or furniture thereof has been made without lawful authority, or that any decoration forbidden by law has been introduced into such church; or, 2. That the incumbent has within the preceding twelve months used or permitted to be used in such church or burial-ground any unlawful ornament of the minister of the church, or neglected to use any prescribed ornament or vesture; or, 3. That the incumbent has within the preceding twelve months failed to observe, or caused to be observed, the directions contained in the Book of Common Prayer relating to the performance, in such church or burial-ground, of the services, rites, and ceremonies ordered by the said Book, or has made or permitted to be made any unlawful addition to, alteration of, or omission from such services, rites, and ceremonies," such person or persons may represent the same to the bishop: Provided, that no proceedings shall be taken concerning any alteration in, or addition to, the fabric of a church which has been completed five years before making complaint. The bishop on receiving the representation may, with the consent of the parties, hear the case, and pronounce such judgment and issue such monition as he may think proper: Provided, that no judgment, so pronounced by the bishops, shall be considered as finally deciding any question of law so that it may not again be raised by the parties." If the parties do not give their consent to the hearing by the bishop, he shall forthwith transmit the representation to the archbishop of the province, and the archbishop "shall forthwith require the judge to hear the matter of the representation at any place within the diocese or province, or in London or Westminster." Failure by the person complained of to answer the representation is to be regarded as a denial of its truth or relevancy. The judge is given the usual powers of a court of record, and is authorized to pronounce judgment, issue monitions, and make orders for costs. An appeal lies from his judgment or monition to her Majesty in council. Obedience to the monition or order of the bishops or judge "shall be enforced, if necessary," by an order inhibiting the incumbent from performing any service of the Church, or otherwise exercising the cure of souls within the diocese for a term not exceed ing three months; which inhibition shall not, however, be relaxed until the incumbent shall have undertaken in writing to pay due obedience to the monition or order, or the part thereof which shall not have been annulled. If, however, the inhibition shall remain in force for more than three years from the date of issuing the monition, or if a second inhibition in regard to the same monition shall be issued within three years from the relaxation of an inhibition, the benefice or preferment held by

the incumbent complained against shall become void, and the patron may make a new appointment; but he shall not reappoint the person who has been the subject of the proceedings. In case the bishop is the patron of the benefice, the incumbent of which is proceeded against, or is unable to act in the case, the archbishop of his province is authorized to act in his place; if the archbishop is the patron or is disabled, it is provided that the Queen shall appoint an archbishop or bishop to act in his stead. In cases in which a cathedral or collegiate church is involved, the duties otherwise assigned in the act to the bishop of the diocese are to be performed by the visitor. Complaints concerning the fabric, ornaments, furniture, or decorations of such cathedral or collegiate church must be made against the dean and chapter thereof; complaints concerning the ornaments of the minister, or the manner or form of conducting the services must be made against the clerk in holy orders who is alleged to have offended in the matter complained of; and the visitor shall have the same powers as to the infliction and execution of penalties as are given to the judge and bishop in the case of other ministers. This act is to go into force on the 1st of July, 1875.

The Convocation of Canterbury met for organization March 6th, in St. Paul's Cathedral. The Bishop of London presided at the opening meeting, in the absence of the archbishop, who was ill. The Latin sermon was preached by Dr. Merivale, Dean of Ely. The venerable R. Bickersteth, D. D., Archdeacon of Buckingham and Vicar of Aylesbury, was elected prolocutor of the Lower House. He made an opening address, in which he reviewed the work of convocation during the previous five years. He regarded the question of the Athanasian Creed as set at rest, at least for a generation, by means of the synodical declaration which had been adopted in 1873. The revision of the English version of the Holy Scriptures would, he thought, unless the existence of this Convocation were cut prematurely short by some political convulsion, be presented by it to the critical judgment of Biblical students. He trusted that the work would be found to be worthy of a place by the side of the present authorized version, and in time come to occupy the position that incomparable volume now held. He expressed the hope that some legislative action would be taken to give power to the Queen to subdivide unwieldy dioceses; and he thought that by this means the subject of the reform of convocation might be satisfactorily settled. He hoped that the movement which had been begun in convocation for intercommunion with the Churches of the East would tend to promote the union of the universal Church. After effecting their organization, both Houses were adjourned to April 28th.

On the 29th of April the Bishop of Lichfield, in the Upper House, presented a number of petitions on the subject of a second Pan

Anglican Council. He referred to addresses which had come from Canada, from the West Indian bishops, from the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, and from the Church in Australia, on the subject; and expressed himself convinced that so general a call for a conference indicated that the time had come when the Anglican communion should have an acknowledged head. He moved for the appointment of a joint committee of both Houses of Convocation to consider a report as to what was the exact position that the Archbishop of Canterbury held with regard to the different branches of the Church scattered throughout the world, and that his Grace should be requested to convene a general conference of the Anglican communion in continuation of that of 1867. The archbishop, in speaking upon this motion, remarked that, with regard to the former conference of bishops at Lambeth, his predecessor had distinctly disavowed any claims of authority, and that it was still more necessary to do so now, on account of the changes which had taken place in the status of colonial churches. By the act of the home Government each of these churches was now an independent and voluntary communion, possessing, as in the act of forming, a definite constitution. They did not recognize their bishops as alone representing the Church, and did not give them power to decide upon laws and doctrines. The motion of the Bishop of Lichfield was amended by the addition of a clause directing that its provisions be communicated to the Primate of the Northern Provinces, and was adopted. The Bishops of London, Winchester, Lichfield, Gloucester and Bristol, and Peterborough, were appointed to act on the committee. The committee made a report in the Upper House on the 10th of July, recommending that a second meeting of the Lambeth Conference be convoked by his Grace the archbishop, for the year 1876; that then the work begun in 1867 be continued, and the reports of committees be taken into consideration; also, that the relation of the Archbishop of Canterbury to the other bishops of the Anglican communion be that of primate among archbishops, primates, metropolitans, and bishops.

On the 28th of April petitions, influentially signed, in relation to the bill introduced in the House of Lords by the Archbishop of Canterbury for the regulation of public worship, were presented in the Upper House of Convocation by the Bishop of Peterborough, and in the Lower House by the Dean of St. Paul's. In offering the memorials, the Bishop of Peterborough made an address, the tone of which was in favor of restraining lawlessness, but against permitting infringements of the just rights and liberty of the clergy. The Bishop of Lincoln spoke in favor of toleration. In the Lower House a message was received from the Upper House asking whether it still adhered to its action of 1869 on the subject of

Church discipline, and inviting it to give its opinion regarding the inhibition of practices affecting the ritual of the Church declared unlawful by the courts (as presented in the new bill), and the relation of such inhibition to the liberty of the clergy. The reply of the Lower House was conveyed in the following declaration:

The Lower House of the Convocation of Canter

bury, in answer to the two questions submitted to it by his Grace the president, on April 28, 1874, respectfully answers:

1. (a.) That the Lower House does adhere to all the resolutions on the subject of "clergy discipline" passed by the late Lower House, in the sessions of June, 1859; but that the Lower House would object to their partial application for the correction of a particular class of offenses; as the resolutions of the late Lower House were intended by the Lower House to be applied to the general reformation of all procedure in all cases tried in ecclesiastical courts. (b.) That the Lower House "recommends, as a particular mode whereby such resolutions can be made effective," the immediate preparation of a plan for the purpose with a view to an application to the crown for "assent and license" to enact it, and also with a view to obtain such statutable aid from Parliament as may be found needful.

On the 1st day of May, the Lower House resolved:

That this House, recognizing the necessity of speedy legislation in the matters involved in the question proposed to this House by his Grace the President, regrets its inability to approve the provisions of the bill recently introduced into the House of Lords for the purpose, and now requests that his Grace will be pleased to direct the appointment of a committee of this House to consider the provisions of the said bill; and further to request that his Grace will be pleased to summon Convocation at an

early date, to receive such report.

(a.) And also that his Grace will be pleased to direct that it be an instruction of the committee to inquire whether the particular mode of action for the purposes in question, and especially for facilitat ing the proceedings in the Ecclesiastical Courts of with a view to application to the crown for "assent Appeal, would be the proper and license" to enact them; and (b) further to inquire into the measure of statutory aid which it may be needful to obtain from Parliament.

"canonical drafts"

The archbishop replied in behalf of the Upper House to these resolutions, that the Lower House, by adhering to the resolutions of 1869, appeared to agree in the principles embodied in the proposals which were then before the public for the discipline of the clergy, including morals and doctrine. Their lordships (the bishops) were quite ready to consider all the matters, but they regarded it as desirable that the various subjects should not be unnecessarily united together, and were anxious to separate those relating to public worship. The appointment of the committee as asked for was agreed to. The committee appointed under the resolutions cited above made a report to the Lower House, May 7th, suggesting that further regulations respecting the conduct of the service according to the use of the Church of England should be by canon rather than by statute, and suggesting a number of objections to the archbishop's bill. They recom

mended several specific amendments to the bill, and professed that, even with these modifications, they were unable to recommend legislation in the manner proposed by the bill. They further expressed the opinion that if the "Church Discipline Act" were repealed, and the existing consistory courts were reformed, there would be little difficulty in dealing expeditiously with such cases as were contemplated by the bill. The House resolved to transmit this report to the Upper House, with the request that their lordships would consider the objections it presented, and the amendments it proposed. The Upper House replied, through the archbishop: "We have given such consideration as we well can to the report which has been placed in our hands. There are in it certain proposed amendments of the present system of clergy discipline recommended by the committee, and some worthy of serious consideration, and they will receive very serious consideration, probably both here and elsewhere. There are other recommendations, too, worthy, no doubt, of no less serious consideration than the others, but which do not approve themselves to the majority of this House; but perhaps, on further consideration, these objections may disappear. Partly there are things in the report which do, and partly there are things which do not, commend themselves to our minds, and this difference of opinion was naturally to be expected." The Public Worship Bill was also discussed incidentally at the meeting of the Convocation in July. A gravamen was presented against it in the Lower House; and in the Upper House the archbishop made an explanation respecting it, and the Bishop of Lincoln made some criticisms of it. The Convocation proceeded, at its session in July, to discuss the fourth or final report of the commission on ritual. A committee was appointed to consider and report on the previous action of the Lower House on the subject of ritual, with instructions to report as early as convenient upon the "Ornaments Rubric " and the position of the celebrant. The recommendations of the commissioners with regard to a daily service were adopted, as follows:

Whereas, In the 84th Article it is affirmed that every national Church has authority to retain, Church ordained only by man's authority: And change, and abolish ceremonies or rites of the whereas, In the Preface to the Book of Common Prayer it is affirmed that rites and ceremonies, being in their nature" things indifferent," may be changed upon weighty and important considerations, accordsions: And whereas, A large number of the clergy ing to the various exigencies of times and occaand of the faithful laity of the Church of England are of opinion that the use of distinctive dress in ministering the Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ would tend to reverence and edification: And whereas, It would tend to peace that the desire of the clergy and laity should be granted: Resolved, That it is desirable that the use of a distinctive dress be permit.ed in ministering the Holy Communion, but only at such places and upon such conditions as shall be hereafter approved by lawful authority.

tional clause: The Bishop of Lincoln proposed as an addi

Provided it be distinctly understood nothing is symbolized by such Eucharistic vestments as is in any way at variance with the doctrines of the Church of England, as contained in the order of the Holy Communion in the Book of Common Prayer.

The resolution and amendment were referred to the committee of the whole House.

The report of the Committee on Intercommunion with the Eastern Churches was presented in the Lower House of the Convocation on the 8th of May. A resolution was passed expressing gratitude for the directions issued by the Patriarch of Constantinople to his metropolitans, instructing their clergy to perform the rites of Christian burial for deceased members of the English Church. A resolution calling on the Archbishop of Canterbury to use his endeavors to secure intercommunion between the two Churches, and especially to enable members of the English Church residing within the jurisdiction of the Eastern Church to avail themselves of the rites and sacraments of that Church, was, after discussion, withdrawn.

The Committee of the Whole on the Ornaments Rubric, which had been in session in the interval since the last meeting (in May), reported in the Upper House the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That the Ornaments Rubric is of doubtful and difficult interpretation, and that it is most desirable that it should be replaced by a rubric which shall clearly define what dresses and ornaments of the ministers shall be permissible in the Church of England.

The Bishop of Lichfield offered the following resolution, which was seconded by the Bishop of Peterborough:

bishop and bishops; and for an inquiry into the expediency of the appointment of a day of the Church once in each year, or at such interpublic intercession on behalf of the missions of vals as may be deemed expedient.

tion March 6th. An address to her Majesty The Convocation of York met for organizawas unanimously adopted, praying that Parliament would maintain and improve the laws upon the subject of intemperance. At a subsequent meeting, May 22d, the following resolution was adopted in reference to the bill introduced in the House of Lords by the Archbishop of Canterbury for the regulation of public worship: "That while some legislation is expedient for the better administration of

the laws respecting the regulation of public worship, it is most desirable that, simultaneously with such legislation, the rubrics, canons, and general laws of the Church, be revised, with a view to their being more clearly defined, and that the existing ecclesiastical courts be reformed."

The Church Congress.-The English Church Congress met in its fourteenth session at Brighton, October 6th. At the beginning, sermons were preached in St. Peter's Church by the Bishop of Ely, and in St. Nicholas's Church by the Bishop of Salisbury. The Bishop of Chichester, as bishop of the diocese in which the Congress was held, presided, and delivered the opening address. After giving counsel in regard to the temper in which the deliberations of the meeting should be conducted, he called attention to the subjects introduced by the committee of arrangements, which had not been brought forward at any previous Congress, of which the most important was the Old Catholic movement on the Continent. He characterized this movement as a phenomenon of the deepest interest to the English people, as the beginning of a reformation in the Roman Catholic Church, the principles of which were not unlike those which had governed the reformation in their own Church. He trusted that the Conference would show that it thoroughly sympathized in the struggles of the leaders in this movement to free themselves from connection with the Roman Church. The discussion of this subject was opened formally in a paper read by the Bishop of Winchester. He gave a brief account of the history and character of the Old Catholic movement, and spoke favorably of the Conference just held at Bonn, which he had attended. Prof. Meyer followed, with an account of the persecutions which he represented the friends of the Old Catholic movement to have had to suffer in Roman Catholic countries. The subject was further discussed by the Bishop of Melbourne and Dr. Littledale. A paper was read by the Rev. M. H. Banning, on Foreign Missions, especially in Reference to Modern Judaism," in which the number of converts from Judaism to Christianity at the present day was spoken of as encouraging to further efforts among the Jewish people. The subject was continued in a paper by the Rev. Dr. Barclay, who claimed that mission-stations had been established in the chief centres of the Jewish population in all the nations of Europe except Russia, on the north coast of Africa, in Western Asia, and in Jerusalem. He estimated that one-half of the Jewish population of ten million souls were reached directly or indirectly by missionary efforts, and that twenty thousand Jews had been baptized into Christianity. The subject of "Foreign Missions in Relation to Mohammedanism and other Oriental Systems of Religion" was discussed in papers and addresses on "Mohammedanism," by the Earl of Chichester; Buddhism in Ceylon," by Bishop

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Claughton; and "China," by Bishop Horden. The discussion of the subject of "Church Patronage was opened with a paper prepared by the Bishop of Lincoln, and read by Mr. Walter Phillimore. Canon Ashwell read a paper on the same subject, which was continued, with addresses by Mr. Walter Phillimore, the Earl of Harrowby, J. G. Hubbard, M. P., Canon Gregory, and the Rev. E. Garbet. All of the essayists agreed in condemning the abuses practised in the sale of livings and advowsons, and various suggestions were made of measures of reform. On the subject of the "Convocations of the Church of England," papers were read by Lord Alwyne Compton and Canon Ryle, in which the admission of laymen to the Convocation was favored; and others by Canon Trevor and Canon Parr, in which it was opposed. The discussion was continued by Colonel Bartlett, M. P., and Canon Freemantle. Several points involved in the controversy between the Ritualistic and Evangelical parties were touched upon, and much excitement, and even disorder, resulted. The "Adaptation of the Fabrics and Services of the Church to the Wants of the Times was considered in papers and addresses by Mr. Beresford Hope, M. P., the Rev. W. Cadman, Prof. Donaldson, Mr. G. E. Street, the Rev. J. W. Perry, the Dean of Manchester, Canon Rawlinson, and other persons. A variety of views were offered. The subject of "Skepticism, Critical, Scientific, and Popular," was introduced with a paper by Canon Westcote, on Skeptical Criticism.” Prof. Pritchard read a paper on "Scientific Skepticism," in which he dealt prominently with the atomic theory of Prof. Tyndall. Prof. Birks read a paper on the same subject. The Rev. Dr. Hersey, the Rev. J. W. Tidcombe, the Rev. Dr. Hayman, the Rev. Dr. Wright, and the Bishop of Edinburgh, took part in the discussion which followed. Papers were read on "The Spiritual Life; its Helps and Hinderances," by the Dean of Norwich and the Rev. G. H. Wilkinson; on The Education of Women," by the Rev. C. Bigg, the Rev. J. L. Davis, Mr. W. E. Hubbard, and the Rev. Prof. Plumtre; and on "Church Music," by the Rev. Dr. Stainer. A meeting for working-men was held during the sessions of the Congress, at which the Dean of Chichester presided. Addresses were made by Canon Miller, Canon Ellison, Mr. Gorst, and the Rev. Mr. Wainright, and the subject of "The Influence of Social and Sanitary Conditions on Religion was discussed. On Saturday, October 10th, a special service was held in Chichester Cathedral. A dispatch was received from the Congress of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, sitting in the city of New York, conveying the hearty greetings of that body, and was suitably answered. The Patriarch of Syria and the Bishop of Jerusalem, of the Eastern Church, were presented to the Congress at one of its sittings. Private meet