The distinct note of the Congress is the recognition of
the immensely increased weight of the democracy, and of clerical responsibility not only for its spiritual, but for its material condition. In some, this new consciousness has produced a sort of Socialism like that defended in Mr. Adderley's paper ; in some, a strong idea of the necessity for more Bishops and pastors ; in some, a belief that a special Order of Preachers is necessary to teach and sway the people as ordinary incumbents cannot be expected to do. This last is Mr. Kenward's notion, and has in it some promise, though we fear his Order will find it difficult to obtain a material main- tenance. Still, every such project should be welcomed, if only as a corrective to the idea, now growing much too fast, that it is the first business of the clergy to make the people comfortable, and that to be religious, men must be well-off. How much a week had the early Christian martyrs ? The English Church should sympathise with every variety of suffering ; but it may wander too far from the old belief that poverty is a grace. The mass of men will be poor while the world stands; and we know of no idea more fatal to a society than that poverty, even deep poverty, and saintliness are incompatible.
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