to aid local efforts, on conditions determined by a Diocesan Synod, might remove many difficulties; but it remains to be proved whether such a fund would succeed. The experience of most of the Colonial Dioceses seems rather to indicate that most reliance is to be placed on contributions for local and special objects.

The value of such a Board, among other things, to record conditions attached to any contributions, and to insert them, where necessary, in a deed of trust, is evident from what you state as to the condition under which many of the churches in this Diocese were built. Good faith must, of course, be kept with the donors by those who received their contributions on an understanding then expressed; but unless such conditions are recorded at the time, misunderstandings are sure to arise afterwards. However, the arrangements allowed by me in the three churches where they were desired, are temporary expedients in one, until the church is cleared from debt, and consecrated; in all, until some better system for supporting their Clergymen is provided. In one of your own churches, I understand, built under the same conditions, pew-rents were introduced before my Episcopate, as an expedient for a time, until the church should be

free from debt.

2. With reference to the use of a Hymn-book in the churches in this Diocese, you appear to be under some misapprehension. Shortly after my arrival, I was requested by three of the Clergy (the present Chancellor, the Rev. E. P. Green, and the late Rev. J. Willson) to aid them in obtaining a suitable Hymn-book for their congregations. In one of the churches, a selection compiled by one of yourselves (the Rev. J. Heavyside), but now out of print, had been used; in the others, the Psalms only. I therefore obtained for them, and for any other Clergyman who might wish to use it, a supply of the Rev. C. Kemble's Hymn-book, the best I had seen. No further sanction or authority is given to the selection beyond this; I have no intention of interfering in the least with the liberty in this respect allowed to Clergymen of the English Church. To the office of the Bishop it belongs to interfere if any Hymn-book inconsistent with sound doctrine is used; not otherwise, in my judgment. Until a Hymn-book for the Church of England shall be compiled, which her members shall generally accept, I much question whether partial attempts to obtain uniformity would be beneficial to the religious life of the body. A Diocesan Synod could only promote uniformity, within its own limited sphere, by the moral power of a result in which different minds would find a bond of union. But sometimes the results of united action, in the attempt to avoid offending any, satisfy none; meanwhile, I certainly cannot discourage any Clergyman from remedying this serious evil, the want of a Hymn-book, by the best means in his power. One of yourselves has lately done this, by introducing a Hymn-book from another Diocese. I cannot suppose that you would have me refuse to other Clergymen a liberty you use yourselves. Uniformity, indeed, is a good thing, but not the most excellent of all; and, in my opinion, premature attempts to attain it, lead to division rather than to real union.

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3. As regards the use of the weekly Offertory, I have taken occasion to state to my Clergy that I consider it desirable in this country, wherever it does not cause offence to the congregation. That the Lay members of our Church will, in course of time, offer no objection to its universal adoption, I consider probable. But I cannot comply with your wish that I should insist on a conformity to the Rubric, beyond that which is enforced in England. I must leave it to the judgment of each of my Clergy to decide whether the weekly use of this portion of the Communion Service is expedient in the present condition of his congregation. In newly-formed congregations, more care to avoid unnecessary offence may be required than in others. I feel strongly with the late Archbishop Howley on this question, that these points are of far less importance than the maintenance of that mutual confidence (between a Clergyman and his people) which, next to support from above, forms the main strength of the Church.' With my Right Reverend Brethren, indeed, in Australasia, who, in their Provincial Meeting in 1850, recorded their opinion that no Clergyman can justly be suspected of holding opinions at variance with the sound teaching of the Church, in consequence of his complying with the Rubric which directs the use of the Offertory Service,' I entirely concur; but that it is essential to the well-being of the Church in this land' to observe this Rubric, I am not prepared to admit.

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In conclusion I would remark, that of the three points to which your Memorial refers, the two latter appear to me to involve questions belonging to a Bishop's spiritual superintendence of his' Clergy, and widely differing from those of the temporal affairs and general discipline of the Church. This distinction you will find carefully made in those principles of a 'Church Constitution' to which you refer. That the Clergy should be protected from all personal injustice to themselves by a suitable tribunal, is clearly in accordance with our Ecclesiastical Law; but that any Diocesan body should direct the Bishop's judgment in the exercise of the spiritual functions of his office, and in the instruction which he gives to his Clergy for the discharge of their spiritual duties, does not appear to me consistent with that Episcopacy which the Church of England recognises.

I remain, my Reverend Brethren, yours very faithfully,
H. GRAHAMSTOWN.

Bishopsbourne, Oct. 15, 1858."

NEWS FROM WEST AFRICA.

WE have received the following letter, dated December 11th, 1858, from a friend at Cape Coast Castle. We think it will interest our readers.

"Since my last communication to you, very important events have taken place in the eastern districts of this protected territory. I think I informed you of the resistance shown to our Government

by the powerful chiefs of Krobo, and of the stronghold they occupied on a rock almost inaccessible-in fact, impregnable as Gibraltar. Our small number of troops marched down there, supported by a few thousands of natives, to make an attack. But, having greatly underrated the enemy's force, and the strength of his remarkable position (where a few hundreds could repel as many thousands), the first attempt failed, with the loss of two or three of the regular soldiers and about 150 of the auxiliaries; while, probably, 300 of the Krobos were killed or disabled. It was, of course, necessary to make much more effective preparations for a second blow. After several weeks, this was accomplished, with the co-operation of about 15,000 Akims, Aquapims, Aquamboes, &c.; all of whom willingly gave their services in the cause, believing the Government to be in the right and the rebels in the wrong. After many delusive parleys, a final limit was fixed, for the enemy to surrender or to receive what would most certainly have been a tremendous onslaught. Every imaginable device was tried to elude the alternatives, to gain time and make fresh stipulations on the part of the refractory chiefs on the rock. The only condition granted on our side was their personal safety, if they gave themselves up quietly in order to submit to the judgment of the Acting Governor (Major Bird) in council. The stated time had nearly elapsed when the Krobos, seeing the formidable army around them, and the utter hopelessness of further hostility, wisely acknowledged 'discretion to be the better part of valour,' and so laid down their arms. Thus were these rebellious tribes completely subdued. The chiefs have undergone their trial, ending in a penalty of eight or nine thousand pounds, to defray the expenses of the war; and with which sentence, their wealth being large, they considered themselves 'well let off." They were also deprived of their position as chiefs, and are detained as prisoners until the fine is discharged. The Krobos acted treasonably in resisting the British authority, to which they had sworn allegiance, and which it was of the utmost importance to vindicate, so as to make a lasting impression on the whole country. The general feeling has now been strongly developed in favour of the protecting power; and having ended thus favourably, we cannot but be thankful for the opportunity of such an encouraging demonstration. Our Acting Governor displayed exemplary patience and forbearance; and by the strict observance of good faith in his transactions with friends and foes, he has gained an excellent reputation amongst all classes of the 500,000 inhabitants of our eastern district. If he has not fought sanguinary battles, he has achieved triumphs more enduring and beneficial; and, tempering justice with mercy, he has crushed a formidable insurrection with little bloodshed, and has so put an end to the horrors of war as to justify our hopes and prayers that this event may, under Divine Providence, open a way for the introduction of Christianity in these heathen localities, hitherto 'full of darkness and cruel habitations; and that here, as well as elsewhere, 'where Britain's power is felt, mankind will feel her blessings too.'

The country itself is very rich and fertile, abounding in palm-trees

and the usual tropical productions. But intelligent persons are needed, able and willing to show the natives the right methods of turning their natural advantages to proper account, and, above all, to show them, in blameless integrity and moral conduct, the real benefits of Christian civilisation. Practical example, united with great kindness, is necessary, in order to give effect to theoretical teachingboth as to the cultivation of the ground, and the still more important field, that of the heart. It will, perhaps, surprise you when I mention, that no sooner was the fine imposed on Ologo Paloo, Odonker Assu, and the rest, than one of our leading merchants immediately contracted with the Government to discharge it, taking the bond of those parties convicted to give him the value in palm oil; thus securing, as he believes, a very considerable profit on its arrival in the English market.

I must not close without telling you not only that we look forward to the pleasure of welcoming our Bishop on the coast early in next year (D.V.), but that, probably, he will be with us on the occasion of laying the foundation-stone of a church in this town. After an interval of six years, an effort is now being made to carry out the intention of original subscribers to that object. About 400l. was raised for it in 1852; but, owing to various causes, nothing could be done in the matter until the present favourable opportunity. The calculated expense will be about 1,200l. to 1,500l.; so that we have a long 'lee-way' to make up in point of funds. Our large room in the Castle has sufficed hitherto for Church and School purposes, but (besides higher considerations) we might be deprived of this accommodation at any time by official requirements.

The signal gun of the mail steamer has just fired, and I must close.

SYNODICAL ACTION IN SYDNEY.

A LECTURE BY THE REV. R. ALLWOOD.

THE following lecture was delivered at Sydney, on Monday, October 25, 1858, at the Quarterly Meeting of the St. James' Parochial Association. It occupies a large portion of our space, but we hope not unprofitably. Sir Wm. Denison, the Governor of the Colony, was in the Chair. Mr. Allwood said

"My Christian Friends and dear Parishioners,—Having been requested to make you acquainted with my views on synodical action, I have felt it to be my duty to comply with your request; and I now propose to offer you such information on this subject, which is so generally occupying the thoughts of the members of our communion, as I have been enabled to gather for myself from a careful consideration of the practice of the early Church, as well as of the existing systems of synodical action which are developing in the present day.

I approach this subject with considerable embarrassment, because I am conscious that the conclusions at which I have arrived are not in accordance with those generally held by friends for whose opinions I entertain very great deference.

This consciousness has made me pause before giving expression to my convictions; but the more I read and reflect upon the question, the more convinced I am of the soundness of my conclusions, and however embarrassing it may be, I feel that it would be a want of faithfulness to you, and an act of moral cowardice on my part, to shrink from avowing them, with the strong persuasion that I entertain of their truth and importance.

I have always looked forward to the discussions and differences of opinion which would necessarily attend the consideration of this question with feelings of anything but satisfaction.

I am, constitutionally, one of the quieta ne movere school—that is, I would rather bear a little ill, the extent of which I can foresee, than by agitating for a change, run the hazard of having to bear something far heavier. But, in the present state of the question, I should be shrinking from my duty if I were to remain silent; and although the difficulties which will attend the inauguration of our Synod cannot fail to be very great, I look forward with hopefulness to their being overcome by Christian forbearance and moderation, by inviting that free expression of opinion from others which we claim for ourselves, and, above all, by giving to those who differ from us credit for being actuated by as much honesty of purpose and earnest desire to promote the welfare of the Church as ourselves,

On the present occasion, when called upon to initiate proceedings upon which, humanly speaking, the prosperity of the Church in this colony must greatly depend, I am sure that you will agree with me that it is the duty of all who may be called upon to take part in this very responsible work, to look very carefully to the soundness and security of our foundation,-to examine and to decide for ourselvesto take nothing upon trust, nor to give our sanction to any scheme or proposition, merely because others have done so, or because long usage may have thrown around it a certain amount of venerableness, but to prove all things, and to hold fast only that which is good.

On the subject before us, I think, very little can be gathered from the practice of our Fatherland. The state of the Church in England differs so materially from the branch of it in this colony, that I am at a loss to see how a precedent can fairly be drawn from it. The Church in England is inseparably connected with the State. It is interwoven with every part of the British Constitution. Its privileges and rights and customs have been gradually developed during a long series of years, and by concurrence of circumstances which have no bearing upon, and cannot apply to us in this colony.

We are a branch or daughter of the Church of England. All that is Divine in her we claim and enjoy as our heritage. Her scriptural Liturgy and spiritual worship as set forth in our Book of Common Prayer; her orders of bishops, priests, and deacons, as observed from the Apostles' time, these are our bonds of union with her, and I most earnestly pray that the hour may never arrive when any unholy parricidal hand shall be lifted up amongst us to dissolve or disturb this union.