Disestablishment, by H. Richard and J.C. Williams. (Imperial Parl.). (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1885. Excerpt: ... APPENDIX. PROPOSALS FOR DISENDOWMENT. It is a familiar device of the opponents of any great change, whether political or social, to seek to evade the discussion of principles by fixing attention on details, or by raising and giving undue prominence to mere side issues. The advocates of a principle are first called upon to produce their plans for giving to it practical effect; and, when the plans are produced, they are criticized with a degree of energy, unfavourable for calm discussion, and often to the neglect of the principle involved. While the measure for abolishing the Irish Church Establishment was, so far as respects the process of Disestablish ment, regarded as satisfactory, the method of Disendonvment adopted by the Irish Church Act was thought by many of its supporters to be objectionable. The opinion widely prevailed--and it has since been strengthened, rather than diminished--that concessions similar to those which it had been thought necessary to make in the case of Ireland, ought not to be assented to when the English Establishment came to be dealt with by Parliament. It was that feeling which led the Executive Committee of the organization popularly known as the "Liberation Society," to appoint a special committee to obtain legal and other information required for the preparation of a scheme of Disestablishment, which should not be open to the objections urged against the Irish measure. Two years were spent in patient work for this purpose, and the results were made public in May, 1877, in the form of " Practical Suggestions relative to the Disestablishment and Disendowment of the Church of England." It is the scheme outlined in these suggestions, and which have been eight years before the public, which has lately been the subject of veheme...