Church Pastoral Aid Society

The annual meeting of this society took place on Tuesday, at Exeter Hall; the Right Hon Lord Ashley in the chair. Tue Chairman, in opening the proceedings of the day, expressed his conviction that the annual meeting of the Church Pastoral Aid Society was amongst the very best of those held at this period of the year. Its object was the diffusion of true religion, the maintenance of the principles of the Church of England, and the promotion of the eternal welfare of the people of these realms. He felt most happy in being enabled to congratulate the members of the society on the state of their affairs during the past year. (Hear.) Its finances had improved, its operations had been extended, and joyful fruits were exhibited as the results of their labours. The Rev. J. H. Pollexfen? (the clerical secretary) then read the report, which opened by expressing the gratitude the committee felt for the results of their operations during the past year. The committee regretted that since the last annual meeting the Bishop of Llandaff and the Bishop of Norwich had been removed by death. The Bishop of Manchester had retired from connexion with this society, and the names of the Bishops of Victoria and Prince Rupert's Land had been added to the list of vice-patrons. Their receipts for the year had amounted to £35,560, including a munificent legacy of £5000, Three per Cent. Consols, by Mrs. Elizabeth Frank, who had been a generous contributor to this society during her life. The expenditure was £33,808. They had 18 more grants than last year—making the total number 370; 302 incumbents were added, averaging a population of 7102 to each. The average income of these incumbents was £195 per annum, and 160 of them were without parsonage-houses. By the exertions of this society, 2,144,000 persons had been provided with increased pastoral instruction. The report was adopted, and a committee for the ensuing year appointed.