Register of Events.

THE ARCHBISHOP of CANTERBURY has returned an answer to the PETITIONERS OF EAST FARLEIGH, about as indefinite and unsatisfactory as it is well possible to imagine. Whether his Grace has adopted any private method of remonstrating with the Vicar of that place, does not appear; but we can scarcely suppose that he can entertain any very lively hope, that the Petitioners will be induced to follow the pacific and compromising course which he recommends to them. The Archbishop's mild and conciliatory disposition may exert a very happy influence at those periods when the members of our Church are involved only in disputes on the externals of religion, or, on comparatively non-essential shades of difference in doctrine or practice. But when innovations of the most daring character are carrying forward with unabated zeal and unwearied perseverance, in the very vitals of religion, and the most fundamentul doctrines of our beloved Church, it would be as wrong to desire, as it is vain to hope, that such smooth and conciliatory counsels can be productive of any

good effect, as respects either party. To assert that the topics of complaint are of little moment in themselves, is worse than trifling with the subject. The Tractarian writers are in this, as in so many other points, wiser in their generation' than those of a sounder creed. One of them has aptly observed,—' Ecclesiastical titles, as well as ceremonies and vestments are not the insignificant things that shallow men suppose; but are as naturally and really connected with deep truths, as is the play of the muscles of the human face with the inward workings of the soul.' Truly thankful should we be if this view of the case could be impressed upon the minds of our respected prelates, and other authorities in the Church. But whether or no this be the case, it will not easily be effaced from those of the great body of the Laity of our communion, as WARE, and ILFORD, and FALMOUTH, and EAST FARLEIGH may amply testify. What will be the ultimate consequences of the discussions and dissensions thus originated, we pretend not to say. It is stated, that the inhabitants of Ware have procured another place for the performance of the services according to the ritual of the Church of England! If this be true, what a miserable spectacle is thus presented of a Church divided against herself.

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We perceive, that the political Dissenters are afresh arousing themselves to fight against that, which has hitherto been the bulwark of protestantism in England-the Established Church. They have sent round Circulars to all their ministers urging them to raise contributions, and send delegates to a species of convention which is to assemble in London under the name of 'THE ANTI-STATE-CHURCH CONFERENCE!' We charitably hope that the efforts thus alluded to are confined to a turbulent minority, whose restless ambition for religious domination cannot readily be kept under by their more serious and humble-minded brethren. In such a point of view, we should think it utterly unworthy of notice. We have no fear whatever for our beloved Church from the efforts of any enemies from without, if she be not betrayed by traitors from within. If grace be but bestowed upon her effectually to clear away the mass of wood, hay, and stubble,' which some are seeking to mingle with her 'gold, silver, and precious stones,' and to act up to the truly scriptural doctrines of her Articles, Liturgy and Homilies, the efforts of her enemies on this occasion —like their unhallowed crusade some twelve years ago—will but redound in shame and confusion on their own heads, and more firmly establish that Church which they seek to subvert. It shall ever be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold he is faint.'

ON

The DEAN of HEREFORD, who is also PECULIAR of that place, has acted a somewhat extraordinary part with reference to the DISCUSSION POPERY, which has recently taken place in that city, between the Rev. John Venn, Vicar of St. Peter's, and Prebendary of the Cathedral Church, and the Rev. James Waterworth, the Popish priest of Newark. The Dean has addressed a letter of remonstrance to Mr. Venn, reminding him that the Church and the Cathedral body included in it, cannot be responsible for any consequences which may arise from the controversy in which he has engaged, without asking the mind of those under whom he should act in matters ecclesiastical, and specially of such solemn importance as the present; if indeed he had not proceeded in opposition to their known opinions in the adoption of a course which is not that which the exigency demanded, whilst there can be no doubt that it is contrary to the spirit and feeling of our Church, as appears in various ways, to the same effect as in the Royal declaration prefixed to our Articles.' He further speaks of it as a very doubtful policy which for the sake of bringing a railing accusation against an adversary, unsettles the public mind, &c., and alludes to 'the characteristics of the approaching display,' while he casts the most gratuitous reflections on Mr. Venn's want of qualification for the approach

ing discussion; adding the following somewhat equivocal expression of good wishes for his success on the occasion! I fervently pray, that it may please the Great Head of his Church, to turn this business to the best possible results, at least, that the truth may not suffer, nor the Church be a loser; I pray that you may be supported and guided, though we have no right to look for aid, when we act rather upon our own judgment rashly, than in conformity with those rules which he has given us, and we have sworn to observe.' Mr. Venn has twice replied to this marvellous production: and both his letters are distinguished by the meekness of wisdom' on the one hand, and the firmness of christian principles, on the other. Much very important matter is contained in his second letter, from which we could willingly extract largely, did our limits permit. We cannot but express surprise at the somewhat novel and authoritative strain which the Dean seems to adopt, when put in contrast with the mild and conciliatory manner of most of the prelates of our Church. If it be indeed the case that the Cathedral establishments are at length awaking from their long and profound slumber, we trust they will not too hastily fulminate their bolts, before their eyes are sufficiently clear to enable them to see in what direction they may be profitably hurled! The christian expediency of these discussions may be a subject for calm consideration among all orders in our Church; but we should have imagined that the Ordinary of a Peculiar, if not the Dean of a Cathedral, would have been better acquainted with the Ordination service, than to suppose them 'contrary to the spirit and feeling of our Church,' and would have more accurately measured the extent of his 'official' authority, than to think that he could put a stop to what we venture to assert, there is not a Bishop on the Bench would have thought of interfering with! The unaccountable discrepancies which are pointed out by Mr. Venn, between the Dean's present tone with regard to Popery, and that which characterized his Charge only last year, as well as on previous occasions, seem pretty well in keeping with the general tenour of his letter, and all lead us to mark the wonderful changes which the progress of more than semipopish doctrines, under the guise of Tractarianism have introduced into the Church, they serve also to confirm us in the opinion we have long entertained, that where true spirituality of mind is absent, there is no security whatever against the insidious advances of the mystery of iniquity,' whether it approaches in the undisguised form of Popery, or clothed in the garb of dissimulating Puseyism.

The Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford-DR. HAMPDEN-has just rejected the Divinity exercise of the Rev. Mr. Macmullen, in consequence of that gentleman re-asserting, in strong terms, the doctrine of Dr. Pusey on the Eucharist. This is a bold step, and we rejoice in the moral courage of the Professor which has enabled him to take it. It is the want of such a mode of proceeding, in other quarters, which has contributed so largely to place the Church in the lamentable position in which it now stands. It is stated that a great sensation was produced by the announcement of the Professor's determination, and that it is expected to lead to further agitation on the part of the Tractarians.

The Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer-LORD ABINGER-expired on Sunday the 7th of April, at Bury St. Edmund's, in the 76th year of his age. He was seized with paralysis on the Monday previous, while at dinner, and scarcely rallied after that period. His death causes various changes in the Political world. Sir Frederick Pollock is raised to the vacant post which was occupied by Lord Abinger. Sir W. Follett is removed from the office of Solicitor to that of Attorney General, and Mr. Thesiger is appointed to the situation thus vacated by him. Various elections also must take place in consequence of these promotions—and the whole excitement thus occasioned strikingly reminds us of the admirable Hooker's words, that this world is full of nerturbations,' and of those of the inspired Apostle, The fashion of this world passeth away.'