Page:Distinguished Churchmen.djvu/162

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DISTINGUISHED CHURCHMEN

Mr J. D. Chambers (Recorder of Salisbury), the Hon. and Rev. R. Liddell, the Rev. T. W. Perry, the Rev. W. Upton Richards, the Rev. James Skinner, Mr G. E. Street and the Hon. H. Walpole. I am afraid this is a little dry,” added Mr Roberts, “but then the most important facts, like the best humour, are often very dry.”

“In what respect do the principles of the E.C.U. differ from those of the older Society—the Church Protection Society?”

“Substantially, not at all. The objects of the older Society were—‘(1) In general, so to promote the interests of religion as to be, by God's help, a lasting witness in the land for the advancement of His glory and the good of His Church; (2) To afford counsel and protection to all persons, lay or clerical, suffering under unjust aggression or hindrance in spiritual matters; (3) To advance and enforce the doctrine and discipline of the Church.’ Such, you understand, were the principles of the Church Protection Society. But when, in 1860, that Society was transformed into the E.C.U. the third principle was recast and placed first, in these terms:—‘To defend and maintain unimpaired the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England.’ Principle No. 1 took the place of No. 3, and No. 2 remained unaltered.”

“And what has been the growth of the E.C.U., measured by periods of ten years?”

“Well, in 1860—the first year—the number on