HL Deb 22 March 1858 vol 149 cc457-8

On Order of the Day for the third reading,

VISCOUNT DUNGANNON

said, he would not oppose the passing of the Bill; but he hoped that the utmost caution would be shown in the choice of persons who were to be sent into parishes under this Bill, and that in their discourses they would as much as possible avoid topics of a controversial and party character; otherwise, they would sow the seeds of schism between the incumbents and their parishioners. The measure, to say the least of it, was an experiment, and it might be productive of good if cautiously applied. He confessed he did not look with much satisfaction upon any measure of that kind; but he thought the Bill of the Archbishop was much better than that introduced by the noble Earl (the Earl of Shaftesbury), and which he could not but view as tending to remove the line of demarcation between the Church and sects. He should like to ask the Archbishop whether, under this Bill, persons would be able to administer the holy Communion during the special services that might be appointed?

THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

said, the Bill would not in any way enable the administration of the Communion during the special services.

Bill read 3a; Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.