be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a milstone shall be heard no more at all in thee." The words in italic are omitted in Blayney's quarto copy: they are omitted likewise in the folio. Now I would ask any person versed in correcting the press, whether it is probable that a revisal took place when the quarto was overrun into folio? or what are the chances that these two errors should remain ? "Ne'er count the turns: once, and a million."

But very great credit is due to Dr. Blayney for his accurate punctuation, and his judicious improvement of the contents of the chapters, as well as for additions to the marginal references.

I am, sir, yours &c., SCRUTATOR.

RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION OF CHILDREN IN THE MIDDLING AND UPPER CLASSES.

SIR,-I have frequently been interested and instructed by remarks in your Magazine on the subject of Sunday Schools. I consider them and Infant schools as being, with God's blessing, the most efficient means of improvement that our country possesses; the first in a spiritual, and the other in a mechanical light. Children who are properly instructed on Sundays, by teachers whose aim it is to bring home to the hearts of their class those truths which they have been taught to read, would often, by their knowledge, put to shame those children who, from being born in a higher grade of society, are prevented from partaking of these advantages. It is therefore to that higher order that I would earnestly desire to call the attention of your clerical readers.

There can be no doubt that every parish having a conscientious minister possesses all the usual means of improvement, so lavishly bestowed upon the poor inhabitants; how comes it then, that, with such ardour for doing good, the same minister may devote himself to this part of his flock, and neglect another? Yet is it not true, that we are too apt to take for granted, that the children of the tradespeople and farmers are properly instructed at home, and that we actually know little of their progress, except it may be from an examination before confirmation, which can occur but once, and may have been got (through by a little previous cramming? Perhaps we should be astonished and dismayed were we aware of the positive ignorance in doctrinal matters which exists among those children and young persons who are too high and proud to condescend to attend Sunday schools. Would it then be an unnecessary or hopeless matter to pay them greater attention? Would it be impossible to institute Sunday schools expressly for the higher orders, to be entirely under the superintendence of the minister and appointed gentlemen and ladies of the parish? This is a system I believe actually pursued in America, and it seems to me to be one well worth imitating. One great advantage to be expected from it would be the supply of efficient teachers for the poor's Sunday school; for no doubt, after having been instructed themselves, many of the farmers' sons and daughters would

not only feel it their pleasure and duty to assist others, but, what is most important, they would understand how to do so.

I am aware of many objections that might be raised against this plan, but I would anxiously desire it might be considered and attempted. But surely there can be nothing objected against a system of instruction to the children of the rich, which I believe many clergymen have long been in the habit of conducting. In several parishes, the minister has an appointed evening in every week, when he assembles the young people of his parish at tea; on which occasion he converses with them familiarly on the truths and privileges of the gospel, reads to them, answers questions, explains difficulties, and concludes with a short prayer. There is one parish where I know this plan to have been crowned with eminent success, and where these meetings were conducted with so little formality, and the young people found themselves so completely at their ease, that the most timid were encouraged to ask for particular explanations, and the most heartless found themselves unexpectedly interested. The effect was, that the parents made a request to be admitted to the same privileges, and I believe it was complied with. There is nothing in this admirable system to prevent its being followed in every parish in the kingdom; and where there is a desire to do good, I imagine that few attempts would realize so much. A most desirable result would be the establishing a spiritual intercourse between the clergyman and his rich parishioners, for I never can understand why they are to be deprived of private exhortation because it is taken for granted that they learn enough at home and on Sundays, though worldly-mindedness is conspicuous in their characters. That great spiritual ignorance prevails among many who are highly instructed in all learning that is not religious, is but too evident, from the observations occasionally heard; and this ignorance is not likely to be remedied if it be suspected by neither the parties themselves nor their spiritual pastor. Though much more might be added, I must apologize for having already trespassed too long; and am, Sir, yours &c.,

S

WANT OF CHURCHES IN THE SUBURBS OF LONDON.

MR. EDITOR,-The deficiency of churches and chapels in the neighbourhood of the metropolis has been recently more than once brought before the notice of the public. In no spot, however, is this evil so apparent as in a portion of the southern suburbs, which, for reasons I shall notice hereafter, requires a more than ordinary degree of attention. The part I allude to is that portion of the Kent-road which is situated between the Bricklayers' Arms Inn, and the Broadway, Deptford. Without the assistance of a map it will be a matter of some difficulty to bring this matter before your notice as plainly as it appears to the writer of this communication. The road to which I allude, it is necessary to add, (for the information at least of such of your readers as do not reside near the metropolis,) is lined with buildings on each side, without scarcely an intermission during the entire extent, and the

neighbourhood is rapidly increasing; yet it can scarcely be credited that in an extent of three miles of road such as I have described, no episcopal place of worship exists at anything like a convenient distance from the houses. Nearly the whole of the first mile is included within the parish of St. George, Southwark; it is a long and narrow slip running between Bermondsey and Newington, and bounded at its extremity by the ancient St. Thomas à Watering, (now a mere ditch, only distinguished by a stone marking the extent of the civic jurisdiction.) The parish church is situated in a neighbourhood quite away from the spot I mention. Beyond St. Thomas à Watering, Camberwell commences, and runs along the road until it meets that part of St. Paul's, Deptford, which is in Surrey. Camberwell new church and Peckham chapel are situated at about a mile on the right hand of the road, and each has its own neighbourhood, and are likely to be but little resorted to by the inhabitants of the Kent-road. On the other hand, Bermondsey new church is seen; but, although the distance in a straight line from the high road is, perhaps, not so great as either of the others, the approaches to it are very tortuous, and the distance far too great for any settled congregation to pursue for a constancy. From the boundary of Deptford parish to the town the road includes the hamlet of Hatcham, which once had a church, and New Cross, from which either Deptford Lee or Lewisham are about equal in their distances and convenience. Enough, I think, has been urged to shew the absolute want of church accommodation; and an additional argument may be drawn from the paucity of dissenting meetings, although I should judge that a great proportion of the population would be very unlikely to attend there if they existed. The attention of the Commissioners for building new churches would not be drawn to this spot from the circumstances of the road being situated at the extremities of so many parishes, and the consequent difficulty of ascertaining the state of the population. I therefore take this opportunity of bringing the subject before your notice, in the hopes that your publication, so widely circulated among the friends of the church, may be the means of providing a remedy. I would venture to suggest that, at least, two churches are necessary; one of which should be situated at a short distance eastward of St. Thomas à Watering, having for a district the eastern portion of St. George's parish, with a contribution from the adjacent ones; the other at the hamlet of Hatcham, which should have for its district the whole of Deptford parish, which is comprehended in Surrey, and including Hatcham, (now I believe extra parochial,) New Cross, and such part of Camberwell as might be requisite; and, as a preliminary measure, it might be very desirable to engage some building as a temporary place of worship, an experiment which would soon demonstrate the propriety of the measure I wish to advocate. The site to which I refer may not be so well known to many of your friends as to myself, but if any one will personally inspect the same, this statement will be found not to be overcharged. From the canal bridge, all the neighbouring churches, or at least their steeples, may be seen, and a correct idea formed of their distances, but not of the length of the roads

leading to them. Trusting you will deem this notice worthy insertion in your miscellany, I subscribe myself, yours obediently,

CHURCH BUILDING.

E. I. C.*

I THANK you, Mr. Editor, for your prompt attention to my letter on church building; since which, I have observed the remarks of your Correspondents, G. and N. C., in your 34th and 36th Numbers.

My present purpose is merely to beg that your Correspondent, N. C., will be kind enough to finish the subject he has so satisfactorily begun, and especially as the part of it which remains involves, I think, the only difficulty with which we have to contend.

I feel the greatest pleasure in being able to say, that the incumbent of our parish will give us his hearty co-operation.

The amount of probable donations, mentioned in my last, will, I feel certain, now be fulfilled; and these, together with the allowance we may expect from the Church Building Society, will, I have no doubt, be sufficient for the building.-Our great difficulty is, the endowment. Assuring your Correspondent, N. C., that his communications are too highly, and, I may add, too properly appreciated, to be attributed to a desire of vain glory,' I remain, Mr. Editor, yours, A LAY SUBSCRIBER.

OFFICE OF DEACON.

SIR,-The following account of the duties of a deacon, in the ancient church, during the celebration of the Lord's supper, may not be altogether unprofitable, nor unacceptable, to many of your clerical readers. Their office principally consisted in directing and regulating the devotions of the people,-at one time demanding their attention,

• The state of the neighbourhood is as follows:

St. George, Southwark-Population, 39,769; one church and a proprietary chapel ; accommodation for 2300, besides the chapels belonging to the Magdalene and Philanthropic Institutions, which are strictly private.

Newington Population, 44,526; three churches; accommodation for 5600. Bermondsey-Population, 29,741; two churches; accommodation for 3000. Camberwell-An extensive parish; population, 28,231; two churches, two proprietary chapels; accommodation for 4000.

The two chapels at Dulwich are not included; they may accommodate about 1500. Deptford Population, 19,795; two churches; accommodation for 2500.

I have taken the population from the last returns. The extent of church accommodation I have overrated rather than otherwise.

[The Editor gladly inserts this letter, and hopes soon to bring this great subject before the public. Of all the crying sins of this nation, the shameful or rather shameless destitution of the means of grace in which it leaves its people in great cities, and the carelessness with which they who are amassing great wealth in large cities leave the very instruments by which they amass it to live and die without God in the world, contented, if they get the labour of their bodies, to leave their souls wholly neglected, these things are what may well be expected, even more than others, to draw down fearful judgments on us. What can even they expect who think religion useful only as teaching morality? expect from leaving hundreds of thousands without the slightest notion of morality, as far as any efforts on their part are concerned? What will become soon of their two great idols, Property and Society?— ED.]

and imposing silence; at another, proclaiming the prayer and posture which was to be observed. The Bidding Prayers were read by them, and some others, to which the people joined their common responses. It was their office to collect the offerings of the people, and to deliver them to the priest, who presented them to God at the altar. When this had been accomplished, the deacon read aloud the names of those who had offered. Their next business was to carry to the bishop, at the altar, the elements, the bread and wine, which were taken out of the people's offerings, and set apart for the eucharist. When the bishop or priest had consecrated the bread and wine, the deacons distributed them to the people who were present; and were commissioned also to carry them to those whose attendance was by circumstances prevented. Further, to them was entrusted the general care and superintendence of the vessels &c. used at the celebration of the Lord's supper.

There seems no reasonable doubt as to the competency of the deacon to administer the elements in both kinds. In the 18th Nicene canon it is indeed laid down, "neither canon nor custom permits, that deacons who have not power to make the oblation, should administer the body of Christ to priests who have that power." But it is to be observed, that this canon was framed to put a stop to the practice and absurdity of the presbyters sitting idle, and receiving the eucharist from the hands of a deacon. And the 2nd canon of Ancyra, which prohibits deacons from offering the bread or cup, in terms alludes to those who had been guilty of sacrificing (to idols).

Doubts have arisen with respect to the deacon's power to consecrate the elements; but the better opinion is clearly against the power. It is true that in the beginning of the fourth century, some deacons did affect to consecrate, but the presumption was noticed by the council of Arles, and a canon made to restrain the practice. These doubts have partly arisen from the phrase in the canon of Ancyra, quoted above," offering &c.;" some being of opinion that consecration was thereby intended; but the words seem plainly to refer to the offering the bread and wine to the communicants. The Nicene canon, above quoted, expressly mentions" deacons who have not power to make the oblation." The well known story of Laurentius the deacon is also cited in support of this power, who is made thus to address Sixtus, his bishop, as he was going to his martyrdom:-"Quo, sacerdos sancte, sine diacono properas? nunquam sacrificium sine ministro offerre consueveras. Cui commisisti Dominici sanguinis consecrationem, cui consummandorum consortium sacramentorum, huic consortium tui sanguinis negas?" Now these words cannot be considered to refer to the primary consecration, which was performed by the bishop himself, who, it is stated, was always present. The deacon's consecrating is inconsistent with the presence of the bishop. This consecration must therefore be of some other kind, and may relate to the part he took, as it is here expressed, in consummating the mysteries, that is, in offering the cup, with the usual form of words, to the people; which act, in the language of the times, was called a ministerial consecration, or consummation of the sacrament, forasmuch as the VOL. VII.-March, 1835.

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