CARE OF THE CHURCHES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 11, 14 July 1928, Page 26

CARE OF THE CHURCHES

Reference is made by Mr. George Lam bert, m a. letter to "The Post," to Uu statemeut by Bishop Cherrington. that "the Bishops of the Restoration in England spent their all in rebuilding the cathedrals in their endeavour to replace the havoc and destruction wrought by the Puritans against them." While giving Bishop Cherririgton every credit for the example of philanthropy and self-sacrifice shown in the offer he is prepared to make on behalf of his church, the correspondent holds that his statement is not in accord with the true history of the Restoration times. "In view of eveiy naiiaiive to the contiary, it would be unfair to allow such statements to pass unchallenged when it is a matter of notoriety that prior to the passing of the Reform Bill and the subsettueut advent of the. Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1836, since which time the enormous revenues of the ancient episcopal sees were reduced to their present basis, such was the example of selfishness and greed exhibited by those occupying the highest positions in the Church that had it not been for the various societies which interested themselves in such matters and the munificent private benevolence of others, many of the cathedrals, minsters, and parish churches where architectural beauties are still objects of our admiration;would long since have gone to ruin and decay owing not only to neglect but to the actual misappropriation of the funds derived from the ancient lands which the pious founders of those dajs specially bequeathed for the purpose of these-r,epairs." In support of his statement the correspondent refers to the state of Old Sfc. Paul's Cathedral, .Winchester, and Ely, submitting evidence as to the neglect of the historic buildings though the occupants of the sees were receiving incomes of £37,000 'and £27,000. No trace can be found of any of this income having been spent on the cathedrals.