NEW CHURCHES.
THE financial operations of the Government are a mystery to the public. How few understand what is meant by the entry, in the quarterly account of the revenue, that so many millions of Exche- quer Bills are "required to meet the charge on the Consolidated Fund?" A vote of the Commons authorizing an issue of Exche- quer Bills, for a variety of purposes, is part of the routine of busi- ness of the House of Commons, usually performed in a thin assembly of Members, who never think of asking the Chancellor of the Exchequer what lie means to do with the produce of SO large an amount of national liabilities.
Our attention has been drawn to this subject by the following memorandum attached to a very instructive document, entitled the " Eighteenth Annual Report of her Majesty's Commissioners for Building New Churches "—
" The Exchequer Bills issued to this day amount to I,500,000/."
Then follow the signatures of the Archbishop of CANTERBURY, Lord MELBOURNE, Lord JOHN RUSSELL, Mr. SPRING Rms, and other Commissioners. Now, we are persuaded, that the great majority of her Majesty's subjects are under the impression that the sum granted for building new churches was a million and no more. But it appears that the money actually voted is a million and a half. The act of Parliament which authorized the addi- tional half-million we have no recollection of, but it must have been passed of course. The time when and the manner bow, are now matters of comparatively small importance. A revenue of some four or five millions, augmented by voluntary sub- scriptions and auxiliary institutions, is insufficient for the National Church. Hence, not only is a million and a half of the public money voted for building churches, but a considerable sum is annually levied upon people of all persuasions, to keep up the new edifices, and to pay the persons who officiate therein. Let any rate-payer look at the item in his annual taxes of "New Church Building Rate," and lie will find that his share of the original million and a half is only a small portion of' what he is annually expected to furnish on the same account for an indefinite period.
From the Report it appears, that 225 churches have been erected; that eighteen are in the process of building ; that nine plans for new churches have been sanctioned ; that eight are under considera- tion; and that conditional grants for thirty-two new buildings have been made. So the work goes bravely on; and, we may be assured, will not be stopped, as long as issues of Exchequer Bills are sanctioned without inquiry by "vigilant guardians of' the public purse" (more than half asleep) at one and two o'clock on a Satur. day morning. From a schedule attached to the Report it appears, that the churches and chapels now building are to cost from 1,7731. to 7,554/. each.
Let it be remembered, that the amount of Exchequer Bills already issued is 1,500,0001., and that it is in contemplation to erect many new churches. Now, to defray the cost of the pro- lected edifices, more money will be required, and an additional Issue of Exchequer Bills. But before the vote for this purpose passes, let there be, at least, warning given. Let the Dissenters in the Three Kingdoms know what their Representatives are about. It is mere childish caprice to resist the payment of church-rates, at much personal inconvenience, if the House of Commons is permitted, as a matter of course, to vote money by wholesale for the aggrandizement of the Establishment.
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