DEANS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOIL."] SIR,—As one specially concerned with your article on "Deans," which to a certain extent include chapters also, may I be permitted to write a few words on what seems to me to be their present use and meaning ?
Cathedral chapters are a survival from those days when not merely that which may be called the spiritual profit of the people was considered, but far more than this,—the worship of Almighty God. That, beyond all doubt, was the idea under which cathedral churches were built and a body of clergy maintained in connection with them. The ancient statutes and customs of cathedrals are directed mainly to this end, and are numerous and most minute. During the time of the Reforma- tion, all these were swept away, and the services of the Prayer Booksubstituted, almost to be rendered, however, like the parson's services—that is, musically—and equally as before by the cathedral body. The idea here was the same as before,— viz., God's glory rather than the edification of a congregation. This employment for a large body of clergy might have been sufficient in an age of faith,—such as, however, I doubt whether the world has ever known ; but clearly its result, so. far as the cathedrals were concerned, was idleness and waste. The work was too slight, the remuneration excessive.
Then came the Cathedral Act of 1840, the result of the opening of men's eyes to the previous misappropriation of large ecclesiastical revenues, and the reduction of the cathedral staff in most cases to a dean and four residentiary canons. The dean was bound by statute to eight weeks, and each canon to three weeks, of official residence. Yet even this did not really meet the case. It only lessened the evil by diminishing the number of comparatively unemployed and well-paid dignitaries. Nor do I believe that any statute or legal arrangement can do it. Many plans have been suggested. One of the most popular is to assign certain definite duties,—as that of diocesan mission preacher, or inspector of schools, or theological lecturer, to each one of the canons. I do not believe that this would really meet the ease. Men grow old,. and, moreover, if idly inclined, would do their work per- functorily.
The true and only way of making cathedral bodies useful, is. to select for them men of tried competence, and whose heart is in their work, and leave them to find out how best to employ that freedom, which a deanery or residentiary canonry pro- vides, from parochial and other duties of necessity. Given such men, and I feel confident that their presence in any diocese is of the greatest possible advantage. There is much for them to do, which men otherwise occupied could hardly undertake, both as regards the special duty of his cathedral, and work of a more general kind.
Take the fabric itself of any one of our noble cathedrals. I very much doubt whether the "custodian" of which your article speaks would have gathered together the large sumo of money, and expended the love and care which are now making them a real glory to the nation, and that without any demand on rates or taxes or other national resource.
Or, again, as to the services,—which, as you rightly say, -should be "the most splendid attainable." Here, too, as any one conversant with cathedrals knows, much thought and counsel are needed—on the part not of the organist only, but of the chapter also—to provide and maintain the requisite men, boys, and music. In many cathedrals a most acceptable Sunday-evening service has been instituted, and supported -entirely by the efforts of the dean and chapter. In one cathedral with which I am best acquainted, the Sunday services are as follow :—Holy Communion, S; matins, followed by Holy Communion and sermon, 10.30; sermon without service, 3; Litany and anthem, 4; evensong and sermon, 6.30. I do not see how much more than this can be got into the day.
There is, moreover, connected with several cathedrals— Lincoln, Ely, Wells, Truro—a college for theological students, and good old-fashioned theological libraries, to which the clergy of the diocese have access. Then, over and above all -this—for such a body there is ample diocesan work—all kinds of charities, societies, and the like, may, and do, find their headquarters in the cathedral cities, and give ample employ- ment to those who there reside. Lastly, there are hospitalities, not unwelcome, to be exercised towards clergy, for whatever purpose, visiting the mother-church of the diocese; oppor. tunities of showing practical sympathy with the many needs of the parishes in the diocese; the support of churches, schools, and the many institutions for good, which in these stirring days spring-up on every side ; sermons to be preached at home and abroad ; addresses at public meetings ; and the selection of fitting men for the livings in the patronage of the -chapter.
I grant that it is possible for a dean to be merely what you -describe—one who appears in his state on. Sundays, and occa- sionally in the week—but so strong is the force of public feeling at the present time, his "sin" would most surely, and in. a very unpleasant manner, "find him out." Once more, then, I say, let the right men be chosen ; and the decartal," or "capitular," function is anything but a sinecure, and, will amply justify its existence.—I am, Sir, Sce., The Deanery, Lincoln, January 11th. WILLIAM BUTLER,
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