BY GEORGE VENABLES, S.C.L., VICAR OF FRIEZLAND. THE SIDESMAN. AVING discussed Heartiness amongst Churchwardens' in the discharge of their functions, it may be thought that little remains to be said to the Sidesmen, beyond a kind exhortation to work well with those Churchwardens with whom they are, as Lay Officers of the Church body, happily associated. Such an exhortation is desirable, and it shall be given by-andbye; but it will be useful, first of all, to ascertain, if we can, what are the distinctive and peculiar functions of a Sidesman. It is true that he is a Church Officer besides, or in addition to, the Warden, and it is true that he often stands near to or by the side of that functionary; but we must not therefore derive the word 'Sidesman' from 'side' and 'man,' as does Dr. Johnson, or infer its origin from besides, as some would do. There is much in a word often. There is much in the true word representing a Sidesman. It contains a little Church History. It tells a story of good old sensible plans and practices. It reveals an age of carelessness and indifference coming up afterwards, and hints, perhaps, at something of a desire to get all Church matters entirely into the hands of the Clergy. It ever was, and ever will be, just as pernicious to let the Clergy alone control Church matters, as to give Church affairs entirely to the Laity, and to coerce and rule the Clergy. No true servant of Christ, no one who wishes to advance true religion will like either of these plans. Priestcraft is bad; and so is Erastianism, and the one is as bad as the other. Alexander the coppersmith' did as much harm as 'Diotrophes.' Well, what has this to do with Sidesmen? Very much indeed. The Sidesmen were, and ought now to be in deliberative councils of the Church, what Churchwardens are in the official working machinery of the Church, viz., the fair representatives-under the Church law administered by the Bishops-of the Laity. Dr. Johnson, as we said, is wrong in tracing their name to side and man, and so is Tyro Tooquick in tracing it to the position of the Sidesman in Church, by the side of the Warden! The word, accurately given, tells the story already alluded to, and describes the chief functions of the Sidesman which are quite distinct from those belonging to him as merely the Assistant to the Churchwarden. In olden times Bishops used to do what, we trust, Bishops will soon do again, they used often to summon Episcopal, or Diocesan Synods. To these synods they called together creditable persons from the various parishes within their jurisdiction. It was the duty of these Laymen to give information of, and to attest the disorders which might exist amongst the Clergy or the people. From this circumstance they are called Testes Synodales' (Synodal Witnesses). In the course of time they became standing officers of the Church, especially in great cities, and then they came to be called 'Synodsmen,' which has gradually been corrupted into 'Sidesmen.' 6 And now, by Canon 90, they are to be appointed yearly, in Hearty Hints to Lay Officers of the Church. Easter week, by the minister and parishioners, if they can agree, otherwise by the Ordinary of the diocese. It should be noted too that they are also called Quest-men,' from their being expected to 'inquire' or 'make inquest' after men guilty of offence. And so long as Churchwardens were required to take an oath for the due performance of their functions, a somewhat similar oath was taken by the Synodsmen. And there is no doubt that Synodsmen are as liable as are Churchwardens for neglect of their duties. Synodsmen, or Questmen, are spoken of as such in at least nine of the Canons of 1603, and we have taken some pains to describe their origin and ancient duties, because we think that a right comprehension of these may stimulate that heartiness which we especially desire to stir up amongst Synodsmen as well as Wardens. We therefore venture to urge two distinct suggestions for their consideration. Taking the old constitution of the Sidesman, we ask whether his history does not attest that good sensible plans once existed in the Church by which Lay representatives thereof came into actual conferences with the Bishops, and whether the circumstance of this excellent plan falling into disuse does not also testify to influences which have greatly injured Lay-interest in parochial matters? For these reasons, therefore, we urge Synodsmen to consider how far it may not be their duty, after much enquiry and deliberation, to endeavour to resuscitate this wholesome mode of parochial representation in Synods of their Diocesans? It is probable that their numbers (averaging perhaps four in every parish) is too large for a representative assembly, but the number might be reduced by the Synodsmen of every parish selecting one of their number to represent the rest, or by all the Synodsmen of a Rural Deanery choosing a given number, selected by themselves from amongst themselves, to appear for the Laity at the Synod of the Diocese. It may be difficult to find so good a method of representing the Laity as that afforded through Synodsmen. In this, however, there needs to be much forbearance, prudence, and enquiry; and heartiness rather than eagerness. At the same time, we are convinced that herein lies the true method of representation of the Laity. We commend it therefore to the attention of our Synodsmen, or Sidesmen, or Questmen. Then, too, as assistants of Churchwardens, and irrespective of their powers in a Synod, they have important and valuable services to render in things pertaining unto godliness. Canon 88 enjoins on them by name as well as on the Wardens, not to suffer any profane use to be made of the Church or Chapel (of ease), or Churchyard, or of the bells. Bells certainly ought never to be rung except in connection with religious things belonging unto the Church in which the bells are placed. By Canon 90, Sidesmen are diligently to endeavour to secure attendance of all the people at the Church, and that none walk or stand idle or talking in the Church, or Church-porch, or Churchyard. Canons 109, 110, 111, and 112 repeat these and similar injunctions, showing in fact that, in his parish, a Synodsman may do an immense work for Christ and His Church if he will; and that in reality he actually possesses some of the spiritual functions which, in a greater and not wholly desirable degree, are assigned by the Presbyterians to the Elders. We must refer, however, once more to the Canons, viz., to the 113th. It states that it often comes to pass that Churchwardens, Sidesmen, Questmen, and others neglect their duties. Ah, there it is! They forbear to discharge their duties through fear of their superiors or through negligence.' What says the hearty Sidesman to that? What says the God-fearing Sidesman to that? What says the true-hearted Churchman and Sidesman of to-day to that? Why he will say, I will up and be doing. As regards my plain duties, of assisting the Churchwardens within the Church-in placing the people, in collecting the Offertory, in keeping all things decent, and in preventing misbehaviour,-I will heartily co-operate with the Churchwardens, and also in all things outside the Church which may help to bring men into Christian ways and practices. I will no longer regard my office as a mere remnant of antiquity, but rather look on it as an office full of usefulness, in proportion as the duties of that office are heartily fulfilled. And in all these things I will bear in mind that I am an Assistant to the Churchwarden, and in some degree, therefore, I am to regard him as superior officer. For this reason I will co-operate with him in his lawful wishes without jealousy, and with much good will. And then, as regards those Synodical functions which belong to me and not to him, while anxious to see the Laity well and wisely represented at our much-needed Diocesan Synods, I will not act with a hasty zeal, or with an indiscretion which may do more harm than good, but I will take counsel with my brother Sidesmen, and with my Rector; and whatever I do in the way of promoting Diocesan Synods, shall not have for its object the raising of my position as a Synodsman, but the best benefit of the Church of Christ. And in this two-fold manner, first, in the manner of co-operation with the Churchwardens, and secondly, in my manner of trying to renew Diocesan Synods with representative Synodsmen, I will endeavour, prayerfully and calmly, to infuse "Heartiness amongst Sidesmen." A Valuable Receipt for Lowness of Spirits. AKE one ounce of the seeds of resolution, properly mixed with the oil of good conscience, infuse into it a large spoonful of the salts of patience, distil very carefully a composing plant called others' woes, which you will find in every part of the garden of life growing under the broad leaves of disguise, add a small quantity, it will much assist the salts of patience in their operation; gather a handful of the blossom of hope, then sweeten them with a syrup of the balm of Providence; and if you can get any of the seeds of true friendship, you will have the most valuable medicine that can be administered. The Song of the Brook. You must be careful to get the seeds of true friendship, as there is a weed that very much resembles it, called self-interest, which will entirely spoil the whole composition. Make the ingredients into pills, which may be called pills of comfort, take one every night and vorning, and in a short time the cure will be completed. I COME from haunts of coot and hern, And sparkle out among the fern I chatter over stony ways, With many a curve my banks I fret And many a fairy foreland set With willow-weed and mallow. I wind about, and in and out I slip, I slide, I gloom, I glance I murmur under moon and stars I linger by my shingly bars, With graceful sweeps I sing and flow TENNYSON. |