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REACTION.

jTHE REV. MR. GORHAM.:

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

THE REV. MR. GORHAM. THIS gentleman has published a book,* containing a full statement of his case-and a strangely and painfully inte- resting case it is. It brings the redoubtable and too famous Bishop out in bold relief, and proves and illustrates his cun- ning, his subtlety, and his love of the actual exercise of real power, in a manner the most striking imaginable. The facts lie within a small compass. Mr. Gorham, after thirty- five years' service as an unbeneficed clergyman, was pre- sented by the Lord Chancellor with the vicarage of St. Just, in Penwith, the most western parish but one in Cornwall, containing a population of from seven to eight thousand miners. Mr. Gorham soon came in the Bishop's way, and the Bishop became his enemy. In a circular for building a district church he used the words National Establishment," instead of Churchhe advertised for a curate free from Tractariau errorfind when the curate was NOMINATED the Bishop summoned him, though he had been long In holy orders," to all examination "especially on baptism, the foundation of all Christian doctrine:" and it was not with- out without difficulty lie got licensed. In August, 1847, the Lord Chancellor presented Mr. Gorham with the vicarage of Bramford Speke, near Exeter, a small parish, and the income being aboutE300 per annum less than that of St. Just. At this point it was necessary to have the. Bishop's countersignature to Mr. Gorham's testimonials for the Lord Chancellor. This was too tempting an opportunity for Dr. Phillpotts not to improve against Mr. Gorham. Three clergymen of the diocese sign a testimonial, and in ordinary cases the Bishop countersigns as a matter of course. The Bishop not only refuses to sign it, but writes on the margin a libel on Mr. Gorham, and cannot conscientiously coun- tersign this memorial." Lord Chancellor Cottenham, heed- less of the Lord of Exeter, persists in his purpose, and com- pletes the act of presentation. He presents his compliments to Mr. Gorham, and has the honour of informing him that he proposes signing the fiat for Mr. Gorham's presentation, notwithstanding the ob- servation added to the Bishop's signature," &c. To the Bishop the Chancellor writes with equal sang froid: — MY DEAR LOUD,—Having had under my consideration the observation added to your countersign.ature to Mr. Gorham's testimonial. I think it right to inform you that I have neverthe- less thought it right to sign the fiat for his presentation," &c. Thus does the Bishop come to nothing the moment lie comes in contact with, the power of the Crown, Even the belligerent Exeter is very small here—the Chancellor is in- finitely the mightier personagcs. The power that raises can depress—the hand that creates can destroy—and the Queen is the sole head of the Church established in these realms. But as when he looks up to the throne the Bishop's at- titude must be reverent and supplicatory, he may compen- sate himself—and in this case the intiii actually does it—by an imperious deportment and tyrannical practices towards- his clergy. Mr. Gorham is not yet out of his clutches. Let it be remembered that Mr. Gorham ia a man of advanced years, of unsullied reputation, of great learning; and was y 0 not now coming in or going out of the diocese of Exeter, Z5 but only removing from one part of it to another. He seems also deeply convinced of the evils of the semi-popcry that has crept into his Church, and to bo a very stanch Protestant. The Bishop feels it is his duty to ascertain by examina- tion whether you" (Mr. G.) are sound in doctrine before you shall be instituted to the vicarage of Bramford Speke. After many and most vexatious delays, and much and most mor- tifying dancing attendance upon his lordship,—who seems to be as much delighted as he is busily exercised by his du- In ties in Parliament on the one hand, and hunting down his clergy (but the latter, much as he seems to enjoy, gives way to the- Lord of Parliament),—the examination commences on Friday, Dec. 17, 1847, continues Saturday 18, Monday 20, Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22, Friday 31, Friday, Jan, 7, 1848,-011 Monday, Jan. 10th, Dr. Phillpotts proposed re- newing the examination, but Mr. Gorham declined further examination, that he might seek advice or redress. This affair lasted five days at the palace, AND was virtually pro- longed six days more at the clergyman's lodgings. The examination, i\1r G. says, was subtle, searching, and severe;" and in the Bishop he found not so much an examiner as an earnest and dexterous opponent, cunning of Examination before Admission to a Benefice, by the Bishop, of Exeter, Qze., Sfc. By (aeorge C. Gorham. Loudon, H&tchard.' 8vo. pp. 230. fence, and full of the tricks and quirks of scholastic disputa- tion, and perfect master of the logomachies of the olden theological discussions. And what was all this about ? About Baptism, the foundation of all" Christian doctrine. At last indeed he gets to other points, but here for the most part Mr. G. baulks him by maintaining that this question and that does not come within the meaning of the DUE examination which the Bishop had a right to make. But on the Bap- tismal question it is certainly a hard struggle. Never did an unscrupulous barrister put more leading questions than does Dr. Phillpotts to this venerable Presbyter. But he makes no way-Mr. Gorham yields not an inch-and no dexterity, no closing with him unexpectedly in corners, 110 sudden thrusts surprise-nothing can bring him to accede to the Bishop's loved dogma of baptismal regeneration. The consequence is that the Bishop will not institute the clergy- man in his new vicarage, and they are ever since in the law courts. But what of Mr. Gorham's clerical status-if not worthy to be minister of a small parish with some 400 in- habitants, surely he is not fit to have the charge of his former parish with some 8,000 souls, and the receipt of a stipend exceeding that of the smaller parish above three hundred pounds a year ? The Bishop of Exeter prohibits his offi- ciating altogether? No, not at all! His first parish he still retains unmolested, and teaches his unsound doc- trines at pleasure. How is this ? Here again we have an illustration of the boasted freedom of a State Church- bishops must respect the rights of patrons in all their pro- ceedings towards their clergy:—the vicarage of St. Just is in the gift of the Crown—Mr. Gorham being in full and legal possession, is, in his possession of that living, with all rights and emoluments, much more independent of the Bishop than the Bishop is of the Lord Chancellor. If Mr. Gorham were an immoral man, he would be quite safe as to the emolu- ments of the living. There seems thus to be some fatal ne- cessity in the veiy structure of an Established Church for independence where it is a danger or a crime; and for ser- vility, cringing, and abjectness, where and when a good man and true should have liberty of action, and should be called upon to cherish manfulness and self-respect. Of sys- tems as well as individuals it is true, By their fntit ye shall know them."

THE VICTORIA WORKS.

THE BISHOP OF EXETER.

CARDIFF.

ST. MELLOFS.

NEWPOIIT."VV

. MERTRYIL. "