The Welshman

PCESE OF ST. DAVID'S.—ELECTION OF PROCTORS FOR CONVOCATION. ■his election was held in the Consistory Court, in St. er's Church, Carmarthen, on Thursday last, the 1 Archdeacon of Carmarthen presiding. Between iTld 50 clergymen were present After Mr Valen- 3 Davis, the registrar, had formally opened the .rt, and called on those present to elect Proctors, the Ven. President said a decision had been made by ae Sir Henry Thompson, extending the privilege oti.n.g to priests in orders but as full sanction had et been given to that decision, it could not be upon, and the voting would, as usual, be confined ectors and vicars. e Very Rev. the Dean of St. David's then said: -Reverend Brethren, -You have heard already that are assembled here to-day on a very important occa- )4, to elect fit men to represent this diocese in the Yocation of Canterbury. As, I believe, next to J^Self) Mr President, the senior clergyman in this ese, I have the honour to make a proposition to this mbly, and that is that you re-elect my esteemed and ected friend, Mr Joshua Hughes, our old proctor, present this diocese. As a Conservative ecclesias- i have a very great dislike to unnecessary change of ? sort or kind. I am very proud to know that upon It occasion there is no wish, at least I hope so, for opposition to the re-election of my friend. He has our proctor for I don't know how many years now, has invariably done his duty in a straightforward, 116, manly way and I believe he has been listened to Convocation with great respect and attention (hear, ar). There are many particular points upon which I Sht, if my strength allowed me, enlarge on this aSlon, but my health has been very indifferent of and you must bear with my hesitation (hear, hear). Proposing the re-election of my friend, —and I am to sure I may say the friend of us all, for I do not k there is an unfriendly feeling in the whole of this cese, with regard to our old proctor,—I feel senti- 7ats of very great satisfaction and pleasure, not only kse he is already our proctor, but because I think llf we were going to elect him for the first time, we lild not fix upon a more popular man in the whole ^I cese of St. David's, or one more largely and de- adly esteemed and respected (hear, hear); I there- ■ beg to place before this assembly, as the senior tor for this diocese, the name of our friend, Mr Jhua Hughes, vicar of Llandovery. lle Rev James Allen, Castlemartin Mr Archdeacon r Reverend Brethren,—I have the honour to second proposition, which the Very Reverend the Dean has e. I esteem it a very great honour, with Mr jSfhes's concurrence, to be allowed to second the pro- ltion that he shall again represent this large and Portant diocese in Convocation. I can only attribute le honour of having seconded his nominatlon on two t three previous occasions to having taken an interest on vocation when, perhaps, very few of my brother i Convocation when, perhaps, very few of my brother ellinbents in this diocese had turned their attention to Everyone who has watched the debates in both j(.j °U8es of Convocation, must, I think, assent to this, t the wise and temperate manner in which most im- n'tant subjects are there discussed-although, at pre- pt, there is no active enacting power, to any extent, heeded to Convocation—is of the highest importance to legion in general, and to the church of this kingdom particular (hear, hear). It is therefore a point of t Preme importance that we should select to represent e clergy there, men capable of taking a becoming part such discussions (hear, hear) and for that reason I ?e very great pleasure in seconding the nomination f ?y old friend, the Vicar of Llandovery. The part he r ? taken in the discussions is very creditable to his ??"clom and, having regard to that, and to the interest .ch he has always shown in the affairs of the diocese r which he was born. and which he has so long- served. |j&nnot conceive but that he is a thorough and suf- IjJjfct proctor and representative for us in Convocation. I1 The Rev Gamons Williams, Bettws Penpont-I rise 1 propose the Rev Henry de Winton as a fit and pro- r person to represent us as one of our Proctors in tvocation. When I proposed him at the last election jelt it to be my duty to dwell, more than I should Wwise have done, upon his many personal qualifica- l s for the office which he did not seek himself, but ich those who knew his worth sought for him, and 8a.y this because he was personally unknown to many •to were present. But he needs no introduction from to-day (hear, hear.) He told us at the last election f^t he could not pledge himself to attend every meet- j S of Convocation, but that he would attend when he ?lt that there was any great question to be brought ij?ward. This promise he has fulfilled. But, deeply ?Pressed by the grave crisis at which this Kingdom ld our holy Church has now arrived, he has, at some t?sonal sacrifice, made arrangements for the future ? Which he will be able, God willing, to attend every k??sion of Convocation (cheers). In the Upper House j?.e are represented by one whose voice is the most 14necl to and reverenced amongst his peers. Even !™n Mr Gladstone, during his late unsuccessful canvass ??4 Lancashire the Bishop of St. David's, by his calm ,jet and high talent, elicited almost unmeasured ,%Uiration. And in the Lower House of Convocation, I Venture to say we have been well represented also. Z do not believe we could have found two more /Woughly representative men, considering the state of '?e constituency, than Mr Hughes and Mr de Winton Cheers.) It is, moreover, just, that as we can only ?d two Proctors to Convocation for the whole diocese [f St. David's, that one Archdeaconry and one county "{¡ould not send both, but that one should be chosen om one portion of the diocese and one from another Near, hear.) I am here to support Mr Hughes, and if pyone had come forward to take away the high privi- tege that we have possessed of appointing Mr Hughes, Would have striven with all my power to bring as any as I possibly could to vote for him. I am here to "Ite for him, and I believe that the clergy of the Arch- aconry and county of Carmarthen will shew their treat appreciation of the proper and excellent way in I)hich they have been represented by Mr Hughes, and %o their courtesy by electing as his colleague one from other portion of the diocese. Within these sacred aIls I would avoid as much as possible allusion to estions which call forth angry debate (hear, hear.) either;as citizens, or Churchmen, or Christians I may Jjty, can we be indifferent to the subjects which now rill the heart of the nation, and though to attempt to y the visible Church of Christ to one party or one ader in the State would be to betray our high trust ltJ.d to shew lack of faith in Him who should be our ùn.ly guide (hear, hear), still, I thoroughly believe Iat it is our solemn duty at this grand crisis to speak jith no uncertain voice upon all religious questions; y, more, that it is right to do battle for the truth en unto the death, if need be (cheers.) And if Con- vocation in any real sense speaks the mind of the Church f England,—as notwithstanding many anomalies in Ita organization, it practically does-how careful ought Ve not to be to send good and true and wise men to ^present us there (hear, hear.) There is one great lUestion which, perhaps, is a little overshadowed at this foment, while Mr Gladstone is making his attempt to Jubilate the Irish Church-I mean the subject of tacation. But we all know that there is an influential Irty in the State, who are bent upon destroying all 'ligious instruction in our national schools, and our 1hools altogether. A Bill has already been brought Ito Parliament, and Bills of a stronger nature are Mked of for having simply secular education without Migion, and that to be compulsory, in all schools re- viving Government aid. I need not argue this ques- On before my brethren, the clergy. I am well per- Kaded that we all feel in our hearts that all true Instruction and knowledge should be built upon the ord of God (hear, hear.) Now, this is a question Ihich might well occupy the attention of Convocation, ^Ud I say that it is the duty of the Church, first of all, to strive with all its power so that this wrong should *>ot be done to the country and to the national honour. lrst of all it is our duty to object, and then, as our Weapons are not carnal but spiritual, we ought, accord- Ittg to the power that is in us, so to strive-if the nation decide that this is to be-that we, with our restricted tirne and opportunities shall see that the children of England be brought up in the fear of God; and It will be a grand work for our Church to endeavour to .?ve the nation from this great national sin (hear, hear.) *he reason why I alluded to this subject especially Vas; because there are few in the Kingdom, I might Say, who have given more attention to it than Mr De Winton. There are few who have greater talents, and ho have had more experience in dealing with it than kr De Winton. With regard to the higher branches of education, in his own person at Cambridge, and trough his pupils at the universities, he has gained fcfeat success. As secretary to the Archidiaconal Edu- ction Board, he has had equal success with regard to Popular education. Now, there are several questions Effecting the religion of the country and the Church that ;e belong to,.which are likely to come before the Imperial Parliament, and may also form the subject of debate in Convocation. But there are questions of almost equal, aHd in some respects, greater importance, which at this titlae, perhaps, call more loudly for careful consideration. brethren, I allude to the internal economy of our ehurch. There are divisions amongst us, and if ever %ere was a time when Patriotism, Churchmanship, ^Ud Christianity itself called us to unity if ever there Was a time when in the presence of a great danger, we ere called to idut aside party differences, party names, Party dresses, and party strife, that time is the present (cheers). "The church is in danger." It is an old Watchword, and like the cry of Wolf, wolf," it has been so often uttered, that now it is scarcely believed in hy anyone. In days gone by, a popular writer imagined himself standing on the summit of the Malvern hills, ) q,nd looking down into the vallies beneath, at the church towers and spires which arose before his view, and re- jecting that near every one of those churches there hved an educated clergyman, who had the privilege of leaking at least twice in every week, unanswered, to the Deonie and reflecting that that clergyman was the "lac to whom the people came for support and aid in all their troubles reflecting on all this he ridiculed the iaea that the church could be in danger. My dear brethren, our position is unassailable from without; no tJUtward arm can overcome it; only treachery or indif- ference within, can overthrow the citadel of the Church Of England (cheers). Let us, then, send one to Convo- cation who is large minded, who is tolerant of all but heresy and schism, and charitable even with regard to these, but withal, sound in the faith, and wise in ex- pounding the word; one who will hold fast to that sound doctrine which has descended to us from Christ our Head, through apostles, confessors, and martyrs (hear, hear), and saints in all ages. Such a one, I believe Mr De Winton to be. The Rev Richard Lewis, Lampeter Velfrey: Mr Archdeacon-I rise with great gratification and plea- sure, after the able speech of the gentleman who pro- posed Mr De Winton, to second the nomination of one of our proctors in the next Convocation. You have heard what Mr Williams has said with regard to Mr De Winton's intention, and to the arrangement he has made respecting his future regular attendance to his duties. That was the one point which, I think, required to be solved and I think we must all aQTee that it has been solved for the future, to our entire satisfaction. Mr De Winton has thoroughly kept his word with regard to the pledges he made on the last occasion. They were to this effect: that he could not undertake, immediately, a regular attendance of every session of Convocation, but that, as Mr Williams has said, he would not be wanting in his place on any im- portant occasion, or in any great emergency. This pro- mise he has fulfilled and for the future, in the coming crisis-which cannot be overrated, and which Mr Wil- liams has very eloquently and not inadequately described-he has promised that his whole time shall be given to the duties of his Parliamentary office. That is to say that we may depend upon being well-represented in the coming session, the importance of which to the church it is impossible to exaggerate. I think, after the long speech we have heard, it would be wrong in me to detain you however, I merely say that whatever dif- ferences of opinion we may have with regard to Convo- cation, we should all agree in this that its duties will increase and not decrease (hear, hear), and that the character of the men we send there will become of greater importance, in proportion to the increased responsibility attaching to the action of Convocation. For myself, I think it is not unlikely, looking at what is proposed, that Convocation will before very long be- come the Church Legislative Council, not constituted as it is at present, but containing a large infusion of the lay element; whether for good or for evil, who can tell. But if that be the case in all questions which seriously affect her, the church must take care of herself, and her own interests. She must secure a council which will debate and legislate for her general welfare, she must choose men of undoubted sincerity and constancy. In future, we must see that the men who represent us are men of excellence, calm in judgment, and who can give time, attention, and ability to the duties, for the per- formance of which we send them to Convocation. If Mr De Winton were a total stranger to us, I believe, after what we have heard on this and on a former occa- sion, we should say that we had a man answering, in every particular, all our requirements. I have now only one word of apology to offer for standing before you in the honourable position of seconder. It is prin- cipally for this reason. Our other representative lives in the extreme end of the Diocese of St. David's; and I think it is right and proper that in a large diocese, if fitting men can be found for proctors, they should come from parts of the diocese which are far apart. Besides, we should be a very ungenerous body, if we were to oppose any candidate without sufficient notice and suf- ficient cause. Most of us, probably, live contiguous to this spot, but Mr De Winton lives at a great distance, and we might take him by surprise, if we proposed to do a shabby thing, and turn him out without giving him an opportunity to explain his conduct to his con- stituency. These are my reasons for standing up as I do to-day, as seconder of the nomination of Mr Henry De Winton, which duty I have discharged with very sincere pleasure. The Rev Latimer M. Jones said-I fear I shall throw a small apple of discord into our proceedings, but I feel bound to relieve my conscience by saying a few words. I apprehend that my reverend brethren will have no objection to a declaration of opinion from one of their order, even if that opinion should differ from their own (hear, hear.) I feel a personal responsibility in the matter, and I have never yet flinched from dis- charging a public duty which I thought belonged to me (hear, hear.) This is a very anxious time the clergy are very narrowly watched. Whatever the clergy do ought to be not simply above suspicion, but beyond any possibility of censure and if possible, it ought to merit the approval of those who are so narrowly watch- ing the Church. Many churches abroad are very narrowly scanning us, and some think that the Esta- blished Church, the only one of its principles in the world, will not be able to bear the great strain now put, and to be put upon it; some, on the contrary, feel that it will be strong enough if it does not abuse its own strength. It is also a very anxious time for the Church inasmuch as it is very narrowly watched by the great bands of Nonconformists, who live in our midst. I often think that the Church of England is just like a warrior, clad in coat of mail, surrounded by a number of persons some curious, some hostile, and who are trying to find out the joints in the harness. That being so, I think our actions with respect to Convoca- tion, which is the great representative body of the Church, ought to be beyond reproof, and nothing ought to be allowed in it which cannot be justified so as to satisfy any reasonable man. Convocation is not the greatest institution in the world, it is not the most per- fect in its organization or its working; there are many things connected with it which, if not absolutely absurd, are certainly antiquated. Convocation claims to have power to execute things which it has no power to exe- cute there are clauses in that citation which, though agreeable to the laws and practices of ancient days, are certainly not agreeable to the laws and practices of the present time. That being so, our representative body ought to be above any possibility of censure, and I am bound to say upon the present occasion I cannot say that of our old representatives in the Lower House of Convocation. (" Oh.") I will first of all deal with Mr Hughes, and he seems to be entirely above any censure or rebuke which an old or a young man can administer to him. He has attended the sessions of Convocation as faithfully as any one could expect him and he has not only attended the session of Convocation but has taken care to express his views publicly there. Thus by his presence, and by his voice he has shown that the diocese of St. David's is not a nullity, unrepresented in the great Council of the Church. Of Mr Hughes, I believe we are every one of us proud (hear, hear) and he requires no word of commendation from any man. But we can, if we have an opportunity, disapprove of his policy in the Lower House of Convocation having tried to do so, however, we cannot find one blot on his character as our representative, and we therefore allow him to be absolutely without blot (cheers.) I wish I could speak in the same terms of our other Proctor, Mr De Winton. He is almost entirely unknewn to me, for I am sorry to say that I was not aware of his existence until some three years ago in this place. At that time I heard a very impassioned harangue, such as we have heard to-day (a laugh) from the gentleman who pro- posed him. I was naturally taken aback, as I sup- ported another candidate upon tnat occasion; but, of course, when I heard a stranger proposed, and spoken of in such extravagant terms of laudation, I felt he would certainly turn out to be a most excellent repre- sentative, and I thought that instead of uttering my sentiments I had much better hold my tongue. I was wise enough to act upon that resolution perhaps I am not equally wise to-day (laughter.) But, after having waited three years, and found that the promises held out have been broken (" No, no "), at the close of these three years I feel bound to come into this Consistory Court and protest against the action of Mr De Winton in the Lower House of Convocation [cries of oh.] I say not one word against him personally, I am quite willing to believe all that his friends say of him I will allow, therefore, that he is a most estimable clergyman, that he governs his parish admirably, that he is a useful member of the educational board in his archdeaconry, that he takes the greatest possible care of his private pupils, that he is highly esteemed in the county generally, and that he is quite able to go up to represent us in Convocation. But of the last qualification I require some further proof and where am I to look for proof. Shall I look for proof to the impassioned harangue of the gentleman upon that seat, and who proposed Mr. De Winton ? If I were to look there I should look for proof amongst a whole host of questions and undertakings with which Convocation has nothing on earth to do [" Ob, oh"], but which in all essentials are left to the action of Parlia- ment. Or I should look to the internal divisions in our church, which has nothing in the world to do with Convocation [" oh" and No, no,"], but requires active legislation, and legislation is entirely the province of the Houses of Parliament [" Hear," and dissent]. If I look to Mr De Winton's great abilities for proof, shall I find it ? If I look to the future, what proof have I of his fitness for Convocation, of his knowledge of impor- tant questions, or the great assistance he has given in uniting and reconciling the internal divisions in our church ? I have looked over the chronicles of Convoca- tion, and I have discovered that he did appear once and be no doubt took a bird's eye view of the chamber [a laugh], but I have not been able to discover that he has attended more than twice since we elected him. I make the statement publicly, because I may be contra- dicted—that in three years Mr De Winton has attended the House of Convocation once or twice, not three times. It is not enough to say, as his proposer said to-day, that he only promised to attend when some great questions came before Convocation. How is he to become ac- quainted with the strange forms of procedure which come before the House unless he attends ? How is he to be able to take part in the discussion of important questions unless he has an intimate knowledge of every step in their progress ? Is such continued absence from duty a mark of that respect which the members of Convocation ought to be entitled to from the gentlemen who are associated with them ? Merely to attend onco or twice, when some great questions are to come before Convocation, is simply preposterous and absurd, and I charge Mr De Winton with neglecting this diocese of St. David's, with systematically neglecting us. That is the charge I make against him, and from that charge he cannot deliver himself. I say that up to this time he has been absolutely faithless, and if we look to the future what have we got ?—the same impassioned harangue, the same eloquence, the same assumption of great and magnificent abilities. All tbes' things which my reverend brother has dwelt upon with such force are all moonshine [laughter, and dissent], and not quite so valuable as that. I cannot trust these praises any longer, because I find, after three years' experience, that they arc utterly worthless and absurd. In consequence of that I cannot con- sent to Mr De Winton being sent there. I am quite aware that he will be sent there (laughter), and if I can object, consistently with the usages of this body, and without proposing another candidate, I will do so, because if I proposed a gentle- man against his consent he would probably be defeated. There is no doubt that Mr De Winton will be one of our Proctors, but not with my consent, and I am simply discharging a personal responsibility in raising my pro- test against it. There are many great matters which will come before Convocation, anyhow for discussion. if not for legislation. I do not think that some of the questions referred to will come before them, but there are some on which I should like to see our wise Proctors saying a word on behalf of this diocese. There is the unhappy Natal controversy. I do not feel proud of Convocation in respect to its dealings with that. I dis- approve of the feeling with regard to the law, shown in dealing with the question. It seems they have decided that there is a power in the Church separate from the power in the State, whereas upon the theory of our establishment the State and the Church are one and the same. The majority in Convocation seem to say that there is a power of excommunication in the Church irrespective of any action by the State. The State says Bishop Colenso was legally Bishop of Natal; the majority of Convocation say, It does not signify any- thing about that, we will appoint another bishop." Such conduct as that persisted in by the clerical body will do more to break up the Church than anything which the impassioned proposer of Mr De Winton has alluded to. There is another point, and I speak in the presence of the Registrar of the Diocese, which I think ought to have been taken up by Convocation when the matter was discussed there and I should like our Proctors to be prepared to meet it. I allude to that question of marriage licenses and banns of marriage. Our Chancellor, in his wisdom—I wish he was not half so clever (laughter)—has decreed that we have hitherto been illegal in issuing marriage licenses upon unstamped affidavits, and has decreed that there must now be a stamp of the value of half-a-crown upon every affidavit on a marriage license issued. That is to sav, he iin. poses a tax of half-a-crown on every person who wishes to get married in this diocese (laughter and cheers.) From time immemorial up to the present time, licenses issued in the usual way have been legal. If they have not woe to the whole of us (laughter), and if they have, why impose the extra stamp (hear, hear). Now, that is an important subject to which Mr Hughes and Mr De Winton might well devote their attention. Speaking of the banns impels me to remark that the whole sys- tem is absurd from beginning to end. For instance, suppose one of the parties lives ten yards in the parish of St. David's, the Archdeacon's parish, and the other lives ten yards off, in my parish, those people must have the banns published in both parishes, and pay the fees in both parishes, or else the man must live in the other parish a certain number of nights. Or if they wish to be married in a church to which neither of them belong, they must live fifteen nights in such other parish. That is a fine on every man who wishes to do the most laudable thing in the world, that is to get married to a woman for whom he entertains affection (laughter and cheers.) I shall be glad if our Proctors will attend to this, and if I find they do Rot I shall certainly call them to order at the next election. There is another ques- tion,-the representation of the clergy in the House of Convocation, in which there is very great room for im- provement. At present, nobody will pretend that the clergy are well represented there. The representation is not satisfactory. The course adopted to bring about representation is one that must of necessity fail in its object. We have, I suppose, about half the members of Convocation ex-officio. I speak in the presence of two certainly. They seldon, if ever, attend a session, and the representation of the clergy is principally made up of Proctors of dioceses. I know a Proctor who only attended once and that is a fact applicable to many Proctors in many dioceses. They are elected and they never attend. Why, even if they went there, and at- tended every session, I maintain still that the clergy are not represented in Convocation. Where are all the licensed curates ? (hear, hear.) Is it possible that the opinions of those who, though young, are competent to judge in common with the aged clergy of this coun- try, have no voice in Convocation ? All the young clergy, with their zeal nnd activity, all the great body of curates, numbering something like 5,000, have no voice whatever in Convocation, and yet they are counted amongst the clergy of this country. They are entrusted with the same duty as ourselves, and I think it is a civil and religious disability which ought no longer to rest upon them (cheers). I think, then, that the whole of the clergy, including curates, ought, by voting for Proctors, to be represented in Convocation, and I also think that all the members of the Church of England ought to be represented in Convoca- tion in the same way (hear, hear.) That will be a fatal day when the Church of England separates her members into clergymen and laymen, and that will be a fatal day for the Church when separate action is taken by the clergy and laity in all matters relating to the Church. The laity having the same interest in the church ought to have the same voice and the same power as the clergy. The clergy, it seems to me, ought to unite themselves most closely to the laity. The clergy do not form the Church the Church is formed by the clergy and the laity united. Yet on all great questions dis- cussed in the House of Convocation they are represented by the clergy, in whose selection they take no part, and represented, too, in a very fractional and un- satisfactory manner, indeed. Thus it is that on all the great and important questions affecting the welfare of our Church, the great and splendid, and faithful body of English Churchmen, our lay- men are left unconsulted. That is a state of things:which I hold to be thoroughly unsatisfactory, and we certainly must ask our Proctors to attend to it in the next session of Convocation. Having dwelt upon this point, and having expressed my opinion of the Proctors, whom, I now have no sort of doubt, we shall send to Convoca- tion, I only have to ask you, whether I am bound to conclude by proposing another Proctor ("No, no.") Very good; I have protested, and am quite content with that protest. The Rev James Allen, Castlemartin: Mr Archdeacon, -If I may be permitted to trespass again upon the time of the meeting, while I say a few words, I shall be glad to be allowed to do so. Since I have resumed my seat, I feel that I have been guilty of very great negligence in confining my observations to Mr Hughes. I find that Mr Williams expressed his sentiments of both our late proctors, and I regret exceedingly that I did not notice the very great satisfaction I felt in having been represented by Mr De Winton also (hear, hear.) I should not have troubled you with this explanation, had it not been for the very extraordinary remarks which have fallen from the late speaker. As for saying that Mr De Winton was unknown throughout this diocese, it is to me most extraordinary. (The Rev L. M. Jones Unknown to me, I said I never mentioned a single word about his being unknown throughout the dio- cese.") Well, but anybody who had been in the diocese any time, ought to have known what Mr De Winton was, and what his character was (hear, hear). The most extraordinary part of the observations attaching to Mr De Winton are scarcely worth notice (laughter). As for the declaration that Mr De Winton did not keep the engagements which he made at the last election it is hardly worth my re-echoing what fell from Mr Lewis. He distinctly stated a fact, a naked fact, merely to show how Mr De Winton had kept his en- gagements. I do not wish to make any further remarks, but as I did not do so before, I wish to express my unqualified gratitude and satisfaction at the conduct of both our old proctors (hear, hear). The Rev Canon Reed-I have listened with great pleasure and satisfaction to the speech of my excellent friend, the Rev Latimer Jones, and I am glad that we have somebody amongst us, able and willing to express an opinion upon any shortcomings of our old proctors; for if we had not members who would com- mit themselves to that line of conduct, it is very pos- sible we should sink into a helpless conclave, merely electing proctors without looking to their merits and qualifications, but guided by our own partiality. But one or two opinions fell from the lips of Mr Jones, which I think ought not to go forth uncontra- dicted by persons other than those who proposed and seconded the proctors. I remember distinctly that when I was called upon to give my vote to Mr De Winton, as a proctor for this diocese, it was stated that he could not attend Convocation upon all occasions- (hear, hear)—that he was trammelled by private engagements, but that he would make arrangements, in course of time, to attend Convocation regularly. (Mr L. M. Jones: In six months"). I was quite aware that Mr De Winton's engagements were such that he could not attend there regularly, but would go on im- portant occasions. What I mean to assert, in terms which are not at all exaggerated, is that everybody coming in contact with Mr De Winton must have dis- covered that he has the qualities of a good public man that he is able to express very distinctly what he thinks that he.has the courage to express his opinions in any meeting; and that, as a representative, he would be an ornament to any society, of whomsoever tt might be composed (hear, hear). If you make enquiries amongst those who know him best, you will find that his character is not to be excelled by any clergyman in this diocese. He is an able, hard-working clergyman. Besides his ordinary work, he has a great many calls upon his time, especially in connection with the pro- ceedings of the Educational Board of the Archdeaconry in which he lives and anybody who has examined the small works which occasionally come into our hands from that source, and which are drawn up by him, must know that they cannot be drawn up without a very intimate knowledge of the Archdeaconry, and a large acquaintancs with the subjects treated upon. I must insist upon this-that Mr De Winton has redeem- ed his promises. He has not attended Convocation regularly, and of course that is a blot in the character of a proctor; but we ought to consider the circum- stances, and the promises under which he allowed him- self to be elected. We ought to consider the distinct statement he made. You hear now that he has done what he could to keep his promises and it is too bad to turn round upon him and say, You have deceived this diocese or neglected it, and you have not kept your promises." I shall not enter further upon the subjects which my friend has touched upon, because the conclu- sions he has (lerived are from supposed facts, and I simply deny those facts. I know the qualities of my friend I esteem him highly I have known him for a good many years I know what there is in him and 1 think that, as a clergyman in the Church of England, we have great things to expect from him in the course of his life. I beg to thank you for listening to me I thought it was not right that the statements made by Mr Jones should go forth uncontradicted. The Rev L. M..Jones-I made. a distinct charge th: t he had not kept his word. When he was last elected— and I appeal to those who heard the promise made for it may seem that I am wrong—Mr Do Winton said at the time that he could not, just then, promise to attend regularly, but that he would do so afterwards. I state distinctly, from recollection—and my recollection is not very bad-that the time mentioned was six months. ("No, no.") It was stated distinctly that after that period he would be able to attend regularly. The Venerable President asked if there were any other candidates, and as there were none, he declared the Rev. Joshua Hughes, and the Rev. Henry De Winton, duly elected. He then said-I may avail myself of this opportunity of putting myself right with the clergy, by lodging a plea of not guilty" as regards my own attendance as an ex officio member of Convoca- tion. I have attended every session, and I am glad to say that I have met Mr De Winton there with very great pleasure. I may add that I am happy to find that I am to meet him there again. Several remarks which fell from Mr Latimer Jones are certainly worthy the attention of the proctors. I will not allude to them particularly; but I certainly think there are some defects in the matter of marriage licenses and banns which ought to be looked into, because we are placed at a very great disadvantage in regard to the registrars, who are empowered to issue licenses at much shorter periods. The publication of the names at the Board of Guardians is a much more convenient and secret pro- cess and in the great majority of cases, people do not like to have their names blazoned abroad, and let all the world know that they are going to get married (laugh- ter). A clergyman on one occasion was publishing several banns of marriage, and at last he encountered a great difficulty. He said, Now, I am going to tell you something about myself; and he published his own banns of marriage (laughter). That is a position a clergyman ought not to be placed in (hear, hear), and something ought really to be done in order to get rid of these anomalies. The Rev Joshua IIughes-I focI extremely obliged to the Very Reverend the Dean, and to my good friend, Mr Allen, for the very kind manner in which they have proposed and seconded me as proctor for the clergy of this diocese. I am extremely obliged, also, for the kind remarks which have been made by others. If I were called upon to plead at all, I should be obliged to plead guilty to many omissions during the past three years. I have tried to attend as often as I could, and more than once, a severe illness prevented my going to London, just at the time when I had been eager to go. At other times I did go. I thank you sincerely for the honour you have done me in electing me proctor for this diocese, and perhaps it may not he disagreeable if I make some remarks on the past and the future work of Convocation.. In a recent number of a London paper it was described as the Flying Dutch- man of Ecclesiasticism a phantom, or a thing which had no real existence, and upon whose proceedings no possible value could be set. If we look back to the time that is gone, we find that in those early days it was in existence, and was the great central power in this country, for many a year-long before the House of Commons had been in existence, and long before it had any power. I do not for one moment deny that convocation has many defects, and that it would be a very great advantage to the church if they could be removed. I quite agree with many remarks that have been made with regard to those defects. There is a very intense feeling abroad with regard to the re- presentation. We should bear in mind that there are only 42 proctors of the clergy to 56 archdeacons. I am sorry to say we are not often troubled with the attend- ance of the Deans (laughter.) Some of them do come, and we always welcome them heartily. The archdeacons come in large numbers (laughter.) But it does not appear to me to be a fair representation of the clergy when we find only 42 representatives for the whole body. With regard to that point, I think we are determined to have a reform of Convocation. How far it would be desirable that the lay element-to which Mr Jones referred-should be udmittcd, I am not prepnrpr) to say. Some are of opinion that inasmuch as the laity are represented in the House of Commons (hear, hear) the Church ought to have a representation of its own body, a clerical repre- sentation, something similar to what we now have. In looking to the past, the very first trace of a Convocation or an assembly of the Church we find in the Acts of the Apostles. There we see that the apostles and elders met, but we find that the brethren had their vote either of consent or dissent on any important thing under dis- cussion and it does seem that it would be most desir- able in the present day that we should have the co- operation and assistance of the nation in some way, whereby the laity of England would feel greater interest in the Church than they have hitherto done. I think we shall have a change in that respect before very long. I hope so. Possibly in time our sittings may be some- what prolonged. It is very difficult in the few days at our disposal, to transact the business satisfactorily, for some of our brethren are extremely long-winded. when they get up to address the House on any subject (laughter). The last question that was very much dis- cussed was of very great importance and deep interest to all of us. That was the Irish Church (hear, hear.) I made several attempts to get in a word, but I abso- lutely failed (laughter.) There were so many on their legs that it was perfectly impossible to get in a word sideways (laughter.) It may be as well on this occasion to say that if I bad succeeded I should have spoken most strongly in favour of the Church of Ireland and against disestablishment (cheers), because I look upon that question as involving the prosperity of the greatest interests of the country. I think it would be the greatest injustice to Ireland and the Church cither to disestablish or disendow it. A great many complaints have been made against the Church of Ireland, and I believe they are without foundation. They say it has not performed its mission but when we look to the past we find that at the time of the great rcvoJntion there were 100,000 Protestant members of the Church of England, and 10,000 English Dissenters. When we bear in milltl that there are now 700,000 Church of England members besides Protestant Dissenters, Pres- byterians, &c., it surely cannot be denied that the Irish L-nurcn has made some progress. When we are asked this question — How is it that it has not made greater progress? I reply that the English ought to be the very last to step forward and say that we shall disestablish the Church in Ireland, because We can provo to demonstration that the great hindrance to the progress of the Church in Ireland has arisen from the action of the English Government and the English Parliament. If you were to look back as far as you like, yon will find that the greatest hindrances were spread in the way of the extension of the church. When the doctrines of the Reformation were brought over to England, what was done ? Why, I find that for 150 years, not a Bible or Prayer Book was translated into the language of the people, and that there was, really, hardly anybody who knew any other tongue or spoke any other than the Irish. As late as the days of Queen Elizabeth a remonstaance was sent in, and it was said The people do not understand your prayers." Well," was the reply, If they do not understand English let the prayers be read in Latin" (laughter). Again, the men who were sent over from England were not fair speci- mens of the English Clergy most assuredly (hear, hear), if anyone will read the history of the country in those days, they will find that they were men utterly unfitted for the high places they were called upon to fill, so much so that they disgusted the whole of the Protes- tants in Ireland, and the Irish people too, till they looked upon b with a feeling of hatred. Not only that, but there were many peculiar circumstances in the action of th3 English Government with regard to Ireland in this respect—the payment of tithes. For- merly tithe was paid there as it was paid here, for the whole land, but it was afterwards confined to arable or cultivated land but it was amended. At that time a very large proportion of the land of Ireland was occu- pied in small portions, by poor people; a farmer paid from V,4 to £ 10, and the man who paid X15, was a very respectable farmer indeed. It was upon these small farms that they grew patches of corn, enough to keep themselves during the winter. All the pasture land was not chargeable with tithe, but the land culti- vated by poor people was. That is the reason why it became necessary to collect tithe in Ireland at point of the bayonet. The poor people felt that they were un- fairly dealt with, that the rich man was excused, and that the poor man was made to keep the Protestant Church. This led to the hatred with which the Pro. testant Establishment was regarded. If we look to the action of the Government up to the present day, we see that everything was done to discourage the progress of the church. Lord Stanley, the present Lord Derby, introduced a very important measure with regard to the church. A proposition was made to this effect, that the Bible was not to be introduced into schools sup- ported by government; but the Irish clergy were men of zeal and piety, who declared that unless religion was made the basis of education, they might as well have the country without education. What became of those men who stood out against the government ? They became marked men, they never received promotion, although some of them were men of high standing. If we look a little further, we may easily satisfy ourselves as to what will become of the church in Wales if dis- establishment and dis-endowment should take place in Ireland. The present Lord Chancellor has more than once made a declaration that in proportion to the popu- lation there is a larger number of members in the Established Church of Ireland than in Wales. Now, if they are to be destroyed, why should we stand I can quite understand the object of those men who would destroy all establishments, but I cannot under- stand any individual who stands forward and says, We defend the Church in the Principality of Wales, but we will destroy the Church in Ireland." (Hear, hear.) Well, what is to be done. I believe the time of action is fully come we must no longer rest on onr oars: those who have been quiet must be quiet no longer we must look to our laity we must examine what are the hindrances that really prevent our success among the people-for we must admit that a large pro- portion of the population of Wales have, in one way or another, become alienated from the Church I think Convocation might improve matters to a certain extent, and there are other points, some of which have been mentioned by Mr Jones, which would admit of improve- ment. An improvement in the system of granting banns of marriage I fully concur in. The Church in Wales in many respects resembles the Church in Ireland. There they have union of parishes we too have union of parishes (hear, hear.) Many of my friends would be able to corroborate me when I say that some parishes contain very nearly fifty square miles. What can any one individual do for the spiritual supervision of the scattered inhabitants of such a district r It is impossi- ble. Again, it is a fact that in many instances parts of a parish, or of two or three parishes, lie close to the parish church of a certain parish. Instead of the re- adjustment of these districts, we have been going on from year to year. When we know that a certain district should belong properly to another parish, why not adjust it at oneo r These are some of the changes that might be made with good effect; but there may be many other changes, and I was going to say that, possibly, one of the greatest changes that we must look forward to is in the character of the christian ministry. (Hear, hear.) We must take care of that We reflect with gratitude to God on the marked progress that has has been made in the College of St. David, from which we have received so many clergymen for this diocese and other dioceses in Wales. I do not for one moment contrast it in any way with the great ancient univer- sities. There is no antagonism between them, and no an- tagonism ought to be between them Bat we are largely beholden to this college, and I look upon it as a matter of vital importance that everything should be done that can be done to improve that institution. If I may venture to throw out one hint in respect to any changcs which take place, I should be most glad if a professor of pastoral theology were appointed. Such an addition would be of vast importance to the clergy in Wales. Then there are other things to be considered. How far the system of patronage should be reformed for in- stance, I do not know; it is a difficult question It is there our difficulty lies. If there is one bad appoint- ment, that one bad appointment is held up to public odium and carried abroad from Dan to Becrslieba, from the north to the south every Minister opposed to us, every Dissenting Minister is sure to grasp at everything of that kind. That would bear some modification, and in that respect the friends of the church could do much good to forward our truest interests. I thank you very sincerely for the honour you have done me I will do my utmost to attend Convocation as often as I possibly can. The Rev. Henry De Winton—I value very highly the honour of representing in the council of the'church, a body of educated men such as the clergy of any English or Welsh diocese, and because I value that honour highly I am not prepared to relinquish it volun- tarily I have therefore come here to-day, ready to explain anything that may be called in question in regard to my conduct, and I am not afraid to explain anything as regards my personal opinion, owing to any- thing I have done either before or since I became your proctor in Convocation. I value the honour, as I say, very highly at the same time it will be in your recol- lection that it was stated, when you appointed me to that highly honourable position, that I had not sought that position, and because I had not sought it, I was not prepared at the time you elected me, to pay as much attention to my duties as I should otherwise have done, and as I should wish to do, for I do not think that I have been in the habit of undertaking duties and neglecting them (cheers). I feel that neglect of duty is a perfectly fair ground of objection to take, and I feel no anger to any person getting up in a fair, straight- forward, manly way, in an assembly of this kind, and finding fault with me, if he thinks I have neglected my duty; but I think I have one thing to complain of, which is, that this fault find- ing to-day has been done without notice. It is rather trying for anyone to come into an assembly of this kind, and suddenly to find someone, without the least warning, call him to account, in what I may call, to say the least, very strong language. Not that I ob- ject to strong language, for when a man feels strongly, and believes he has just reason to feel etronglv. hp may use SL!uu lauguago, and I should do so myself, there- fore I am not at all inclined to object to the use of strong language. Still, I do feel sorry that the usages which are generally supposed to exist between gentle- men, did not induce Mr Latimer Jones to inform me before we came into this meeting, that he was going to call me to account for neglecting my duty in Convoca- tion, and more especially when one part of the charge brought against me was that I had broken my pledges and promises. I do not admit that I have broken my promises, and I appeal to the gentlemen present whether I said anything about a period of six months, within which I should be able to attend Convocation regularly. So far as I recollect, what took place has already been described accurately by those gentlemen who have spoken here to day and in addition, I say that so far as was compatible with existing engage- ments, I did attend Convocation, and I have also been prepared—which, in these days of telegrams and rail- roads, is not so very difficult-to go up for a temporary attendance, if any questions were brought forward in which great issues were to be raised, and important principles were at stake. I do not think the value of such a representative as a Proctor of Convocation is alto- gether to be measured by the number of times he speaks in that assembly. I am not conscious of being more unwilling to hear the sound of my own voice, than many of my friends and neighbours-(laughter)-but I think one gi-catafect of Convocation, as at present constituted is, tpat there exists rather too great a love in that assembly, of hearing one's own voice (laughter). I speak as one who has taken an active part in this diocese, in reviving what was called synodical action in the Church and I feel now how strangely things have altered, for I remember on one occasion, when I attend- ed here, that a gentleman was proposed as a proctor, and the ground on which he was proposed was that he did not approve of the action of Convocation, and that he did not intend to attend its meetings (laughter). We see a very great change now, and I for one heartily rejoice at that change. Although I was one of those who wished to see the action of Convocation revived still, I admit that there are defects in its constitution. There is no doubt that upon the whole it has been rid of many of its anomalies, and its most per- sistent enemies, of which there are large numbers, cannot deny that it has done good in the church. I am not prepared to say that I am disappointed with the result of the revived action of Convocation. We know that our hopes are sometimes rather too warm and sanguine, but I think in most respects my most sanguine hopes have been realised. I had not been in Convocation many times, before I could see that mem- bers came there primed, wound up, and determined to have their say—(laughter)—whatever business of im- portance was going on. I think it is rather a vulgar vie%i to take, though it is a view which is frequently taken, that the value of a member of any body of this kind is to be measured by the amount of talk that he gets through. I do not think that is a view which a body of men such as the clergy of this diocese would be likely to take. It is very possible that I may not have been altogether idling my time. That may have suggested itself to the gentleman who has made such extraordinary remarks on my conduct. If I have not been a constant attendant at Convocation, I have been a very active reader of the debates in the Chronicle of Conrocation, and have spent a great deal of my time in making myself acquainted with what Mr Jones calls the very intricate and difficult forms of proceedure in that House. I do not think you would have been pleased with me as a new member of Convocation, if I had rushed into that assembly with a great, idea of my own power, and a wealth of conceit, and there have laid down the law to men who have been there for many years-men grown old in Convocation you would not have been gratified if J, a new member, had rushed there and insisted upon speaking on every possible occasion. There arc far too many speakers there already, I assure you. It is true I might have done so, and yet I think I should not have advanced the inter- interests of the church in Wales, had I behaved in that way. That is a sufficient answer to one objection raised—that I did make my voice known in Convoca- tion. Besides, as my colleague has just said, it is not an easy matter to get a hearing. I did, upon one occasion, intend making a few observations on a question which I took some interest in but the fact was, a young member got up in front of me, and he had spoken twice already I (laughter). I shall be prepared, in luture, to address the House, if I think it expedient to do so; but I have learnt enough of Convocation to feel convinced that unless I am quite sure that what I have to say is not to serve any self-seeking purposes of my own, but to conduce to the true interests of the church, I had better hold my tongue (cheers). I hope I have replied to the objection raised against me. on the ground that I have neglected my duties. There have been peculiar circumstances in the case, and so far as I can gather from the feelings of this assembly, they have been satisfactorily explained. I do not, in the least, complain of having been called to account. On the contrary, I rejoice that there are here persons able and willing to call us to account, if we do not do our duty. I should never object to that (hear, hear). Whether it is etiquette for me to enter upon vexed questions, I do not know. It is etiquette that the members for the Universities should not be seen or heard. I do not think I shall enter into them, unless a question is asked me fairly, and then I shall be prepared to answer fairly and openly. But as one or two questions have been refdfrnd to by Mr Latimer Jones, I think I may, with ptopriety, touch upon them. The first thing he alluded to was the unfortunate case of Bishop Colenso. That is a tf-ty difficult question to go into, and I am not at all prepared to do that. Convoca- tion has taken very detei-inined action npou that ques- tion, and I should be doing violence to what I very deeply and sincerely h"ld to be the truth, if I did not say that I quite agree with the action of Convoca- tion upon that point (cheers.) There are one or two other points which Mr Latimer Jones his alluded to; and I must say that if ho had made himself acquainted with the debates in Convocation, as he might have done, lie would have learnt that a resolution has been arrived at as regards banns of marriage, and the constitution of the Lower House. Committees have been appointed on one question, and if Mr Latimer Jones, before re- flecting upon our conduct as proctors, had made him- self acquainted with the action of Convocation, he would have known that the recommendations of the committees appointed do, as far as I can recollect, meet the very objections that he has taken, and therefore his criticism is beside the mark. One other point of his which I cannot agree with, is the introduction of the laity into Convocation (bear, hear.) I do not know whether he really goes so far as he said, but I should infer from the manner in which he declares himself that he has taken up that view without having gone very deeply into the question. The Rev Latimer M. Jones-I am sure you will spare yourself further trouble in arguing on this point, when I say that you are raising an objection against a thing which is entirely of your own creation. I did not say that I approvedlof the laity going into Convocation; what I said was that they should have some part in sending members to Convocation. In arguing against this, you are not arguing against me, but against your- self. Mr De Winton -If I have misunderstood you I beg your pardon, of course. I did not take your words down. As the assembly has been detained for a long time, and as it seems to be getting somewhat impatient, I will not go into any other point unless I am asked a question as to my opinion on any important subject. I do not pledge myself as to any matter, until the matter itself is raised. You do not send me up as a delegate, but as a representative, and in that character I am quite prepared to state my opinions on any point if I am asked for them. I will only remark further, that I should have been made of stone if I had not felt, very very keenly, the kind and generous remarks that have been made in my favour in some cases In the case of Canon Reed, they were wholly unexpected and wholly unlooked for. I feel very thankful for the remarks that have been made, more especially when I consider how little they have been deserved. I should have been very glad indeed if the remarks impugning my conduct had not been made but I think they were perfectly fair and open; and I trust that in your estimation I have fairly met them (cheers). I am not prepared to pledge myself on any question likely to come before the House, but I am prepared to keep any promises, which you can fairly call upon me to make. God willing, or unless prevented by sickness or sorrow, I will attend the sessions of Convocation as frequently as I possibly can do so. I shall continually have an eye to the welfare of this Diocese of St. David's, but I do not think I should be consulting its best interests by putting it forward in an unseemly manner. I do not mean to do so, or to act in a factious manner, but should an opportunity present itself for doing any good to the Church in Wales, I should, as far as in me lay, avail myself of that oppor- tunity. I am certain I shall never say or do anything excessive or dangerous or take any action which I think would be prejudicial to the best interests of our Church. (Cheers.) The Rev L. M. Jones-I congratulate myself upon having been the cause of bringing out the declaration which we have just listened to. Mr De Winton com- plains that I did not give him notice before hand of any remarks which I intended to make reflecting on his conduct. I certainly did not do so, for I thought that, Mr De Winton being a man possessed of the power spoken to in 1865, and now again in 1868, by his pro- posed and seconder, would be able to meet with firmness and readiness anything I might siy. Why, I never dreamt of the necessity or the propriety of giving him notice. If anything, I have cause to complain that Mr De Winton has never given us notice that be would be proposed here at all to-day, and it is in consequence of this that I make these additional observations. We had no power to object to anyone if we had wished to do so, I bad not the most remote conception whether two proctors would be proposed or not to-day, or whether any change in the representation would be proposed and I do think it would be advisable for the proposer of a candidate to give notice. I ask the proposers and seconders of Mr De Winton whether that course would not facilitate the business of the meeting. The Rev Joseph Tombs, Burton-As I have not gpokon I may, peiUaps, be Alloffpit to o<%y a tew words. I will not detain you by a long speech, bnt I think we ought to regulate our conduct by the rules and practices of former times (hear, hear). 1 think it is quite con- trary to all such practices that notice should be given, therefore I distinctly disclaim all sympathy with the giving of notice. As it is necessary to be guided by the usages and practices of Convocation, before we attempt to take part in them, we ought to make ourselves ac- quainted with its customs, and I do not think there is any custom which gives any foundation for the proposal which Mr Jones has thought -proper to make (" Yes," "no"). Nor do I see the necessity or expediency of it (" Yes," no") therefore, I think, we need not trouble ourselves about anything of that sort in future. We are quite competent to elect proctors at this meeting, and there is not the least shade of a chance of any new candidate that Mr Latimer Jones can nomin- ate, being elected to serve us in Convocation. And, as to Mr Jones saying he did not know whether we were going to have any proctors elected at all, I think, after being cited according to law and custom, it is only charitable and reasonable to believe that at least, Mr Latimer Jones and the neighbouring clergy would listen to the citation and discharge their duties as rectors, vicars, and so forth and I am happy to say that his supposition is not borne out by fact, but that we have come here in sufficient number to discharge our duty without an infraction of custom or practice, or in anythink like a hole and corner meeting, if you will allow the expression. The Rev James Allen, Castlemartin-I beg for the third time to rise, in order to say that I echo every- thing that Mr Tombs has said. I would add that this is the only meeting which collects the vicars and in- cumbents and rectors, throughout the diocese, and I should be very sorry if any arrangement were made to prevent as full an attendance as possible. If we are to attend and be unanimous in electing our proctors, so much the better anyhow, let us all come together upon these occasions as fully as we can, as long as we are spared (cheers). A Clergyman said that from what had fallen from Mr De Winton, it appeared he was averse to the dis- establishment or disendowment of the Irish Church. Mr De Wiiiton-I am averse either to the one or the other. It was suggested that if it were more generaliy known that service would be held before the election, a large number of clergy would attend. A clergyman remarked that the question of the Welsh Church was likely to follow very closely on that of the Irish Church and under those circumstances he felt glad to know that they could not have found two proctors more capable of defending the Church in England and Wales, than those just elected. The Rev Latimer Jones, in r,ply to the Rev Canon Reed, said that a few years ago the proctors were elected by a majority of three to two. At the last election nearly 100 of the clergy were present; and on this occasion they were a very respectable number. To prevent any ignorance as to what was going to take place, they ought to adopt the system used in electing members of Parliament. They ought to know who w .as going to be proposed, and Mr Garmons Williams might have issued a circular, stating his intention of proposing Mr De Winton. In the alsence of any information the privilege of electing proctors might be abused a man might gather his friends here in large numbers for the express purpose of tarrying his candidate, and nobody else know who the candidate was till his name was heard. The Rev Canon Reed thought it was perfectly reasonable that the clergy should know who was going to retire, and who was not so that, before coming to vote, they could form their ideas, and not jump to a hasty conclusion on the day of meeting. They ought to have an opportunity of considering whether the candidates were fit and proper persons for proctors. He endorsed Mr Latimer Jones's opinion so far as that. The Very Reverend the Dean of St David's proposed a vote of thanks to the venerable president. The Rev James Allen Castlemartin, said that the arguments of Canon Reed and Mr Latimer Jones ap- plied to new candidates. Why, even Mr Latimer Jones, who was prepared with a new candidate, bad not mentioned him yet, much more given notice (laughter.) They might take it for grantedtbat he would not do so now. The Rev Latimer Jones-Shall I mention the name of my candidate ? The Rev James Allen-It is useless to do so now, and it is of no consequence who be is. The Rev Latimer Jones—It was that of the Rev James Allen, Vicar of Castelmartin (laughter.): The Rev James Allen--Well, I rejoice to know that you chose a man so widely separated from the district of the others. The Venerable President congratulated the assembly upon the discussion, and hoped that if any unpleasant feeling had been excited, it would soon be buried in oblivion (hear, bear.) He felt bound to say that, with respect to the marriage licences, the extra half crown for the stamps was of no consequence to the Chancellor, for it went into the pocket of the government, and formed part of the public revenue. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Valentine Davis, for the restoration of the Consistory Court, in which they were met; and the assembly expressed its approval of the good taste and completeness with which the work of renovation had been carried out. The assembly then rose.