The Augustinian Abbey of Newstead. This abbey is situate within the borders of Sherwood Forest, the resort of NEWSTEAD ABBEY. way. It affords a fine specimen of early English architecture, and is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays by ticket, to be obtained beforehand at the local hotels. The abbey was founded in 1170 by Henry II. for the black canons of St. Augustine, and at the dissolution became the possession of Sir John (afterwards Lord) Byron, who spent large sums in restoring it. The abbey is closed at Easter and Whitsuntide. The Cistercian Abbey of Waverley. This abbey, one of the earliest Cistercian abbeys in England, is near Farnham, in Surrey. It was founded in 1128 by William Gifford, Bishop of Win chester, but little of it now remains. It is supposed that Sir Walter Scott's novel is named after this abbey. The early English crypt is shown in the engraving. THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. This Church is Presbyterian in government, recognising the equal rights of all Presbyters. The supreme court, known as "The General Assembly," meets annually in May, and is presided over by a "Moderator," who is elected at the first meeting. Next to this Court in importance are the 16 Synods. These are composed of the members of the 84 Presbyteries. There are at the present time 1363 parish churches and about 100 mission churches. In each parish there is at least one minister, and in 18 parishes there are two. There are 10,172 elders and 656,112 communicants. The following are the : principal officials of the General Assembly :- Clerk Depute, Rev. James Mitchell, D.D. Procurator and Cashier, Sir John Cheyne, Q.C. Agent, Wm. John Menzies, W.S. EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. The Episcopal Church of Scotland consists of seven Dioceses, and is in doctrine, worship and discipline identical with the Church of England. The Representative Church Council, of which THE PRIMUS is President, is recognised as the organ of the Church in matters of finance, and consists of the Bishops, all instituted and licensed Presbyters, Diocesan Officials, and a Lay representative from each Congregation. It meets annually in one of the principal towns. The following is a list of principal DIOCESES OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. THE UNITED FREE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. This Church is formed of the Free Church of Scotland and the United Presbyterian Church, which were united on 31st October, 1900. There are over 1700 Congregations, 11 Synods and 64 Presbyteries. The General Assembly meets in May. Moderator, Rev. Thomas Kennedy, D.D. Principal Clerks, Rev. Andrew Melville, D.D.; Rev. Thomas Kennedy, D.D.; Rev. Archibald Henderson, D.D.; Rev. William Blair, D.D. Depute Clerk, R. R. Simpson, Esq., W.S., Edinburgh. General Treasurer, A. Ellison Ross, Esq., S.S.C., 15, North Bank Street, Edinburgh. THE CHURCH OF IRELAND. It seems a little misleading to speak of the Protestant Church in Ireland as "THE CHURCH OF IRELAND," since, of the population in 1891, 74'4 per cent. were Roman Catholics, and only 12'8 per cent. Protestant Episcopalians, or members of the Churches of England and Ireland and the Episcopal Church of Scotland. By the Act of Union the Protestant Episcopal Church of Ireland was made a branch of the Established Church of England, but in 1869 an Act was passed to sever the connection, and the Irish Church became an independent body. The General Synod of the Church, consisting of the Archbishops and Bishops, and of representatives of the Clergy and Laity, has chief legislative and administrative powers. It elects and controls the Representative Body, alters and abrogates laws and canons, and may cancel or supersede acts of Diocesan synods. The Representative Church Body consists of the 13 Archbishops and Bishops, 13 Clerical representatives, 26 Lay representatives, and 13 other co-opted Members (Clerical and Lay). It deals with matters of finance, has a Common Seal, and power to hold Church property in trust subject to the control of the General Synod. The Funds of the Church at present in the hands of the Representative Body amount to between £8,000,000 and £9,000,000 sterling. The sum received annually in voluntary contributions was, in 1899, £131,172-about £37,000 less than in 1898, and £43,000 less than in 1897. The total expenditure was, in 1899, £419,223. The following are the principal officials of the Church of Ireland : GENERAL SYNOD. PRESIDENT: His Grace the Archbishop of Armagh, Primate. Hon. Secs., Ven. J. G. Scott, D.D., Archdeacon of Dublin; Ven. W. Colquhoun, M.A., Archdeacon of Derry; Sir J. C. Meredith, LL.D.; Gordon E. Tombe, Esq. Secretaries' Assistant, J. H. Wharton. Office, Synod Hall, Christ Church Place, Dublin. Secretary of the Representative Church Body, Thomas Greene, M.A., 52, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin. DIOCESES OF THE CHURCH OF IRELAND. PROVINCE OF ARMAGH. Armagh. A.D. 445. Clogher. A.D. 493. Acres 889,032. ARCHBISHOP, Most Rev. WM. ALEXANDER, D.D. [The Palace, Armagh.} Elected Primate of all Ireland, 25th Feb., 1896. Dean, Rev. R. J. Shaw-Hamilton, D.D. Dioc. Secs., Rev. T. G. Stokes, M.A.; The Meath. A.D. 520. Consists of parts of Meath, Westmeath, King's Co. Cavan, and Longford, BISHOP, Consists of parts Pop. 45.251. Acres 1,242,750. Donegal. Clergy 123. 1896 Clergy 82. Right Rev. GEORGE A. CHADWICK, [The Palace, Derry.] Deans (Derry)-Very Rev. T. Olphert, M.A. (Raphoe), Very Rev. Richard E. Baillie. Archdeacons (Derry)-Ven. Wm. Colquhoun, Registrar, Rev. John McAdams, Diocesan- Dioc. Secs. (Derry)-- W. E. Scott, D.L. (Raphoe), Very Rev. Dean Baillie, Rev. Canon Goold-Adams, The Archdeacon of Derry, Colonel McClintock. Asst. Sec., Rev. J. McAdams. |