Disestablishment in England
Disestablishment in England.—A London despatch, dated February 27, declares that a resolution in favor of the disestablishment and disendowing of the Episcopal Church in both England and Wales, was adopted in the House of Commons by a vote of 198 to 90. It does not commit the government to disestablishment, but it shows the tremendous growth of sentiment. It is the first time that the House of Commons has adopted such resolutions. In 1871, the last time the question was before the House, it was rejected by a large majority. An officer of the cabinet, the secretary for Ireland, Birrell, showed how the government stood by saying: "I fail to see how continuing an established Church can be justified. The Church has done the State no good, and the State has done the Church nothing but harm. Personally, I believe that disestablishment, far from harming the Church as a spiritual body, would restore it to a position of spiritual authority thruout the land."