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 From the Authorised Report of the Church Congress, held in Liverpool, 
 October, 1869. 
 
 THE 
 
 CAPABILITIES 
 
 OF 
 
 OUR CATHEDRALS 
 
 BY 
 
 THE VERY REVEREND 
 
 THE DEAN OF CHESTER, 
 
 LIVERPOOL : 
 ADAM HOLDEN, 48, CHURCH STREET. 
 
 1869.
 
 THE CAPABILITIES OF OUR CATHEDRALS. 
 
 In estimating the capabilities of our Cathedrals, the first thing 
 to be borne in mind is that no two of them are alike. There 
 is just as much difference in their social and religious opportu- 
 nities as there is in their architectural features. In both 
 respects, indeed, a generic resemblance is found among them ; 
 but whether we criticise them in reference to the impression 
 which they make on the eye, or in respect of their usefulness as 
 Church institutions, we shall be quite at sea unless we observe 
 also their specific varieties. 
 
 Compare, for instance, the three spires of Lichfield, ** the sisters 
 of the vale," which sometimes catch the eye of men of business, on 
 the right hand of the railway, as they travel from the North-West 
 to London, with the fQxr towers of Exeter, which seem just now to 
 have so intimate a connection with some of the most animated con- 
 troversies of the modern Church of England, and the contrast is 
 obviously great. Or, if we wish to draw our comparison from the 
 interiors of our Cathedrals, we may place in startling opposition 
 the long nave of Winchester, still speaking to us of William of 
 Wykeham, with the grand octagon of Alan of Walsingham, at Ely; 
 or, again, the minute and elaborate perpendicular panelling of 
 Gloucester with the severe Norman simplicity of Durham. Just 
 so it is easy — and on the present occasion it is very important — to 
 draw sharp contrasts among the Cathedrals in regard to the pecu- 
 liarities of their constitution, and, if I may so speak, their human 
 environment. Canterbury has its unique institution of the Six 
 Preachers ; St. Asaph has its four Vicars Choral, who do the 
 parochial work of the little city according to a peculiar system of 
 rotation. The Cathedral of Chichester is at the extreme end of a 
 rural Diocese ; that of Manchester is in the centre of a huge popu- 
 lation. Christ Church is in the midst of the University of Oxford, 
 and naturally has theological professors among its Canons. St. 
 David's is in a wild and impressive solitude. Wells has its popu- 
 lation of 7,000 ; while Bath, in the same Diocese, has its 50,000. 
 Carlisle and Chester are well placed for Diocesan work, in regard 
 both to the railways and the people. But there is this difference, that 
 in the former case the Cathedral city takes the lead in the Diocese ; 
 whilst, as to any subordination of the largest town in this Diocese, 
 probably the less I say here on that subject the better. 
 
 In the midst of these differences, my best course is to take as my 
 starting point the Cathedral with which I am most familiar. This 
 method is most in harmony with the occasion ; and thus too 
 I shall be most likely to speak with intelligent knowledge.
 
 I propose first to point out some opportunities of useful service 
 which our Cathedral possesses, even if no change takes place in 
 its constitution, and secondly, how it would have still greater 
 facilities for permanent usefulness, if certain reforms were begun 
 and accomplished. 
 
 Two general remarks must be made here in passing. The 
 details which rise out of them must in a slight sketch like this be 
 omitted. First there is a line of division, which runs across the 
 whole subject, separating between Cathedrals of the Old Foundation 
 and Cathedrals of the New. To the former belong those which 
 have ancient statutes, such as Lincoln, York, Hereford, and 
 W^ester. The others are Cathedrals founded by Henry VIII., 
 sucnas Peterborough and Bristol. It is to the latter class that 
 Chester belongs. The other remark which it is essential to make 
 is this, that Modern Legislation has traversed the Statutes of 
 Cathedrals in all directions. . Of course we are impelled to ask 
 whether this Legislation has been wise on the one hand, or com- 
 plete on the other. On this point I shall beg leave to make a remark 
 before I end : but, in enumerating some of the Capabilities of a 
 Cathedral as they have come before my notice, I shall for the 
 most part make reference to our own Statutes, where they have 
 not been repealed by Law. 
 
 And first I am disposed to mention a characteristic of the Cathe- 
 dral, which does not usually attract the popular attention. The 
 Mother Church is meant to be a place of most diligent Preaching. 
 There is an affecting passage in reference to this subject in one of our 
 Statutes. The sentence is to this effect : *' Inasmuch as the Word 
 of God is a light unto our feet and a lantern to our path, we do 
 charge the Dean, nay, by the mercies of God we do intreat him, 
 that he be diligent in preaching." A similar injunction is given 
 to the Canons. There is also a distinct provision that the members 
 of the Capitular body are to circulate, from the Cathedral as a 
 centre, into those districts where sermons are wanted, and there to 
 preach. Now as to the discharge of this latter function, happily a 
 great change has passed over the pulpits of the Church of England 
 since the founding of King Henry's Cathedrals. Every village has 
 its preacher now, as well as its pastor ; and for the most part more 
 acceptable to the people than an itinerant Dean or Canon could pos- 
 sibly be. I am not sure, however, that there might not be in our 
 Cathedrals a reservoir of Clerical help, so to speak, for parishes in 
 time of emergency. But this I remark only by the way. A large 
 amount of preaching in the Cathedrals themselves is a most evident 
 duty, especially when, as in Chester, they are within reach of a con- 
 siderable population. The copious spaces in our Naves are an invi- 
 tation to the discharge of this duty. At Chester the establishment of 
 Evening Services has been full of benefit and blessing in manifold 
 ways, and I believe it has stimulated religious activity within the 
 City at large. It does not become me to criticise other Cathedrals, 
 in regard to what is done or not done. But I believe that a bold 
 
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 course, with assiduous preaching, is the best. In one Cathedral it 
 is complained that the experiment was lately tried, and with great 
 success, but has not been repeated. In another, that Evening 
 Services have been established and then intermitted. It strikes 
 me that it would be a benefit to the Metropolis, if the services at 
 St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey could be continued through 
 the year. As to any difficulty in obtaining preachers, this fear I 
 cannot entertain for a moment ; and here I most gladly seize the 
 occasion afforded me for thanking the Clergy from all parts of this 
 Diocese, who have preached, or promised to preach, at our Chester 
 Evening Worship. They are perhaps rendering a greater service 
 to the Church then they imagine ; for not only have they thus an 
 opportunity of addressing immense congregations, but by these 
 visits they are helping to develope the Diocesan idea, which it is 
 now most essential to bring into a reality. 
 
 From Preaching I turn to Prayer. If Cathedrals are places of public 
 usefulness on Sundays, let it not be forgotten that they are places 
 of quiet worship on Week-days. I am aware that many good men 
 attach but a very slight value to this capability of these institutions. 
 Sometimes even very rough and very inconsiderate things are said on 
 this subject. I will not make a rough rejoinder ; but I will simply 
 refer to one who is mentioned, I think with both sympathy and ap- 
 proval, in the Holy Gospels. If Scripture Characters are patterns to 
 us, I imagine that we are not at liberty to discard from our gallery of 
 sacred portraits that Widow of the tribe of Aser, who, about the 
 time of our Lord's birth, was daily engaged in prayer within the 
 Temple precincts. Possibly such prayers as hers may do as much 
 for the Church, as the activity of some of us who live in public 
 and pray but little. I am sure that the Christian life is often 
 strengthened through our Cathedral Prayers, and sorrow soothed 
 by help of their musical expression. Here, however, I must 
 say that a grave responsibility rests on the Cathedral Clergy, that 
 by their own punctual attendance, and by strict enforcement of 
 external reverence, they foster the conviction that the Prayers are 
 a reality and not a routine. If any of them, by word or by 
 influence, throw a shght upon this daily Cathedral observance, 
 this may be a very good argument against their having accepted 
 Cathedral appointments ; but it is no argument against the daily 
 service itself. In our own case benefit has resulted from the recent 
 adoption of a special prayer, when the Clergy, Lay Clerks, and 
 Choristers are assembled before the service, the rule of silence 
 being enjoined on entering the Choir. 
 
 I have alluded to the Musical expression of our Prayers, 
 and this leads me to mark a third function of these ancient institu- 
 tions, viz., that they are Schools of Sacred Music. This subject 
 and the last are somewhat closely connected. If the Music is to 
 be perfect, there must be constant practising together, just as the 
 crew of a boat cannot present a perfect example, unless there be 
 continuous and associated efi'ort. Now when I speak of Cathedral
 
 4 
 
 Music as a standard and an example, I do not at all mean that 
 Parochial Services should be regulated on our method. Very far 
 the contrary. But I believe that our Cathedrals ought to present a 
 pattern of sobriety and good taste in Sacred Music. Vagaries in 
 this matter are more likely to be found in our Parish and District 
 Churches. Gabbling on the one hand, and drawling on the other, 
 are not, for the most part, characteristics of our Cathedrals. Let 
 me add that, not merely as an example, but in other ways also, I 
 think our Mother Churches ought to be in musical relation to their 
 Dioceses. Thus, the large spaces to which I have alluded are 
 invitations to Choral Festivals. Again, I should wish to see the 
 Precentor a Diocesan as well as a Cathedral Officer. And let me 
 say a word here for the Chorister boys. We are always touched 
 when we read of Samuel in his little linen ephod. I think a warm 
 feeling ought to be cherished for our young surpliced ministers, with 
 an anxiety that they may grow up in the Temple service, for good 
 and not for harm. A well-regulated Chorister School (I wish we 
 had funds for doing more than we at present do at Chester) might 
 be in most useful relationship to the Diocese at large. The whole 
 subject of our Lay officials is a most serious one. Our Lay Clerks, 
 being highly trained and acccomplished in one respect, are in 
 great danger of taking a merely professional view of their sacred 
 duties. I believe the best way of meeting this danger is that the 
 Clergy of a Cathedral should strive themselves to maintain a high 
 standard, and while firm in checking negligence or heedlessness, 
 should treat their Lay brethren with kindnes and sympathy. 
 
 I have spoken of the Chorister School. But this phrase does 
 not by any means sum up the whole educational responsibility of 
 our Cathedrals. Very few persons are aware how great a place 
 Education has in our Statutes. Our King's School or Grammar 
 School is an essential part of our foundation ; and the Dean is 
 seriously charged by the Statutes not to neglect his duties in regard 
 to it. I regret that recent Legislation has almost entirely lost sight 
 of this feature of our system. There is always a popular nostrum 
 for the evils of the Church; and the popular nostrum of late years 
 has been the increase of small livings. To this purpose the 
 Ecclesiastical Commissioners have been applying the endow- 
 ments withdrawn from our Cathedrals; and a most important 
 purpose it is. I fully and heartily admit this ; but it is not 
 more important, I venture to say, than the maintaining and 
 the strengthening of Christian Education. Just now, too, 
 there is a great demand for precisely that kind of education 
 which would have been supplied by our Cathedral Schools, if 
 they had been well developed according to the principles of their 
 original foundation. I can testify that in our own Diocesan city, 
 though we have a good Cathedral School, there is an urgent de- 
 demand for something higher and better still ; and such an end 
 might be secured by the restoring of our University Exhibitions and 
 the supply of better premises. In reply to an application for help,
 
 3 
 
 last year, to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, I learnt that they 
 were powerless : so that I hail now with much gratitude the powers 
 conferred upon them by the Endowed Schools Bill, which has 
 recently become Law. 
 
 It will have been observed that these remarks, though dealing 
 with detached points, one by one, have all tended towards the 
 enunciation of one general principle, namely, that a Cathedral is 
 pre-eminently a Diocesan Institution. It is just here that I lay the 
 greatest stress ; and it is just here that the convictions of the country 
 need the most careful and yet the most rapid maturing. There 
 is great activity in Parochial Life. We all know what that means. 
 We have also a clear idea of the Church of England as a whole. 
 But the idea of the Diocese seems as if it had great difficulty in 
 working its way into the English mind. And yet the Diocese is 
 the unit^ and one essential characteristic, of the English Church. 
 I hope this Congress will help on the progi'ess of educating the 
 public mind in this respect ; and I think it will. To a great 
 extent, the Clergy of our parishes are an aggregate of 
 Independent Ministers visited at intervals by the Bishop, whom 
 they receive very respectfully, for the discharge of certain 
 functions. I have heard it said of a Clergyman that he was an 
 excellent and laborious man, but that his parish ought to have 
 been an Island. I think we might say with some justice, that our 
 aggregate of parishes is an Archipelago, among the islands of 
 which the Episcopal yacht assiduously cruises. AYhat we want 
 is that this Archipelago should be turned into a Continent, by the 
 acquisition of some better consciousness of our Diocesan life, and 
 some new arrangements for consolidating and strengthening this 
 Hfe. 
 
 How is this to be attained ? 
 
 I believe that very much may be done by means of our Cathedrals ; 
 and I am very glad that a discussion upon "Diocesan Organiza- 
 tion" is now followed by one upon " The Capabilities of our 
 Cathedrals." 
 
 Mr. Clabon seems to think that, in order to realize the Diocesan 
 idea, the Cathedral system ought to be destroyed. I should say 
 rather. Let the Cathedral system be used— thoroughly used, even as 
 it is — and let it be somewhat reformed, in order that it maybe used 
 more effectually. Surely it is better to employ and improve the 
 machinery which we have, than to construct something new. 
 Moreover, a great deal can be done without any reform at all. 
 Very much depends upon the feeling entertained among the 
 Cathedral body towards the Diocese at large, and in the Diocese 
 at large towards the Cathedral body. It is surprising how diffi- 
 culties vanish, if we intend that they shall vanish. There is a 
 story in clerical circles that an excellent and eminent Clergyman 
 used to say, that a Cathedral was an iceberg in the midst of 
 a Diocese. It was of course highly improper in him to use any 
 such language ; and the story goes on to say, that a serious
 
 6 
 
 retribution fell upon him. He was made a Dean. But I have a 
 strong impression that under his genial influence, the Cathedral, 
 over which he presided, became, not an iceberg, but a stove in 
 the midst of the Diocese. And I venture to assert that the 
 first step in Cathedral IJeform is heartily to use what we possess, 
 with a distinct reference to the well-being of the Diocese around, — 
 in other words, to turn our icebergs into stoves. 
 
 But still I think some reforms are imperatively needed. The 
 minutes which remain to me can easily be counted. I will 
 therefore very briefly suggest some changes which, in my opinion, 
 would establish new and very useful relations between the 
 Cathedrals and the Parochial Clergy on the one hand, and the 
 Cathedrals and the Bishops on the other. 
 
 To turn the Cathedrals into mere Parish Churches would be, as 
 it seems to me, a fatal mistake. If this were done, the Diocesan 
 idea would recede still further into the distance. Still I conceive 
 they ought to have very intimate relations with the Parochial 
 Clergy. So in fact they have now ; but on a wrong method. Our 
 Deans indeed are precluded from Parochial cures, and very 
 properly ; for they ought to have plenty of work of other kinds to 
 do. But Canons are quite free to have preferment in any Diocese. 
 Of our four Canons, three have their customary homes and 
 customary work in the Dioceses of Eochester, Winchester, and 
 Worcester, respectively, and only one in that of Chester. Their 
 chief energies must, of course, be given to their Parishes ; and, 
 coming to the Cathedral City in rotation, they have clearly no 
 opportunity of co-operating in continuous work for the benefit of 
 that City or its Diocese. Yet the Cathedral endowments do 
 properly belong to that City and that Diocese. Let no one say 
 that I am speaking disrespectfully of my colleagues. This would 
 be quite impossible. Probably we gain as much in Chester by 
 the intermittent visits of our Canons, as other Cathedral cities 
 would gain by the continuous residence of theirs. Among them 
 they have the qualities which would be precisely the most useful 
 for Diocesan work ; but this makes the regret only the greater, 
 that we cannot concentrate all this beneficial force upon our own 
 Diocese. 
 
 But what do I propose ? 
 
 In the first place, I would consolidate the mere Eesidentiary 
 Cathedral work in fewer hands. There is indeed far more to be 
 done in regard to the mere Cathedral itself than is commonly 
 supposed, especially when (as in our case) the fabric needs a 
 thorough restoration. But the Dean with two Residentiaries, 
 each continuously resident, and each having Diocesan duties, would 
 be amply sufficient. 
 
 I speak of Diocesan duties. Here let me give expression to a 
 thought which lies at the root of the whole opinion I have 
 been led to entertain concerning Cathedral ofiices. What is the 
 theory which ought to regulate appointments to these posts ?
 
 Sometimes they are spoken of as rewards for past service in the 
 Church. If by this it is meant that good service in the past 
 establishes a claim to higher responsibility and to opportunities for 
 still larger service in the future, this will easily be recognized as 
 a just and sound opinion. Some view these positions as intended to 
 be places of learned leisure. There is no theory with which, as a 
 mere theory, I more heartily sympathize ; but it is very apt to 
 break down in practice. I believe the wisest reform would l3e to 
 assign definite duties to each Cathedral office. We must expect 
 all applications of endowments, in this day, to be very sharply 
 criticised. And here let me add a further remark. The view 
 which I advocate tends to simplify the perplexities of Patron- 
 age. If an office has no well-defined duties attached to it, it is 
 difficult to blame the asssigning of such preferment to any 
 Clergyman of high character ; but if well-defined duties accompany 
 the office, public opinion will require the appointment of highly 
 efficient men. 
 
 But what are these Diocesan duties ? 
 
 The answer will of course vary in each several Diocese. The 
 organization which might be best for a Welsh Diocese, such as 
 Llandaff or Bangor, might hardly be suitable for Salisbury. Or 
 there might be local duties in such cities as Norwich and Kochester 
 which would find no parallel at Eipon. But in no case will 
 the answer be difficult. Speaking generally, the Residentiaries 
 might be the Archdeacons, closely associated with the Mother 
 Church, after having had parochial experience elsewhere. Or they 
 might conduct the business of Diocesan Societies. Let me 
 complete my answer from my own point of view, by saying that I 
 am myself at this moment acting, by the Bishop's wish, as Rural 
 Dean; that I am one of the Secretaries of the Diocesan Board 
 of Education, with its two Training Colleges, and also Chair- 
 man of the Council of the Theological College at Birkenhead; 
 that I have far more work than I can do effifeiently ; and that 
 some of the Canons would discharge some of these duties far 
 better than I can. They are however precluded from the attempt, 
 because their homes are only occasionally in Chester. 
 
 Next, my earnest desire would be to see another kind of connec- 
 tion established between Cathedral life and Parochial life. Some 
 would destroy the Capitular System. I am very anxious to see it 
 enlarged and strengthened. I have lately been in Italy, and I 
 have seen there the harm that results from the reduction of the 
 Chapters to a mere shadow. Suppose that each Diocese had 
 twenty Canons (they might be the Rural Deans), chosen by the 
 Bishop from among the Parochial Clergy, each having a small 
 accession to his income, each having the duty of i^reaching in 
 the Cathedral, each being honci fide a member of the Chapter. 
 Speaking, as I do here, in reference to Cathedrals of the New 
 Foundation, I am recommending a partial return to some of 
 the customs pertaining to the Old Foundation and a retracing
 
 8 
 
 of some of the steps of recent Legislation. What I urge is the 
 conversion of a Cathedral Chapter into a Diocesan Chapter. If 
 this were done, we should have immediately the elements of a 
 Council for the Bishop. We should likewise have the materals 
 for doing what Mr. Clabon not unnaturally desires — reducing the 
 Bishop from an absolute to a constitutional monarch, and that 
 without demolishing the Cathedral system, but by exactly the con- 
 trary process. And further, we should have here, with the addition 
 of Clergymen and Laymen elected by representation, the elements 
 of a true Diocesan Synod. 
 
 I am aware that this could not be done without some new action 
 on the part of the Government. The right method of that action 
 is, I venture to say confidently, by means of an Executive Com- 
 mission, bearing the same relation to the Commission of Inquiry, 
 which reported in 1854, as the second University Commissions 
 bore to the first, and having authority to deal with the several 
 Chapters according to the differing exigencies of their respective 
 Cathedrals. If His Grace the Archbishop of York will move, 
 in the House of Lords, for the appointment of such a Com- 
 mission, I am able to say that he will be thanked, not only by 
 many Deans, but by many Canons too. 
 
 D. MABPLES, PRINTER. LORD STREET, LIVEBPOOIi.
 
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