Notable accomplishments Archibald Campbell Tait

archbishop tait.

if blomfield had remodelled idea of bishop s work, successor surpassed him. tait had blomfield s earnestness , powers of work, far wider interests. blomfield had given himself zealously work of church-building; tait followed in steps inaugurating (1863) bishop of london s fund. devoted large part of time @ london in actual evangelistic work; and, end, interest in pastoral side of work of clergy greater else. wife, instrumental in organising women s work upon sound basis, , did not little healthful regulation of anglican sisterhoods during formative period in particularly necessary. nor less successful in larger matters of administration , organisation, brought play sound practical judgment , strong common-sense. constant in attendance in parliament , spared no pains in pressing on measures of practical utility. modification of terms of clerical subscription (1865), new lectionary (1871), burials act (1880) largely owing him; of them, , last, incurred obloquy @ time.

dealings liberalism

with regard liberal trend in modern thought, in sympathy it. object in dealing questions of faith, in dealing ritual question, practical one: wished secure peace , obedience law saw it. consequently, after sympathies had led him express himself favourably towards movement, found himself compelled draw back.

he expressed qualified sympathy of writers of essays , reviews , joined in censure of bishops (1861). same kind of apparent vacillation found in action in other cases; e.g., in case of john william colenso (1863) , in controversy use or disuse of athanasian symbol (1872). naturally , misunderstood. did not know him thought, or pretended think, socinian or free-thinker. world @ large knew better; frederick temple warned him, in case of essays , reviews, not keep friends if compel them feel in every crisis of life must on guard against trusting you.

dealings oxford movement in church of england

illustration punch magazine, showing archbishop tait, trying control ritualist black sheep crook called public worship regulation bill

as regards catholic revival, tait concerned during whole of episcopate and, above all, on issue of ritualism, on naturally came direct conflict recognised ecclesiastical practice of day. had deal st george s-in-the-east riots, in 1859, , troubles @ st alban s, holborn, in earlier stages (1867); took part assessor in privy council judgment in ridsdale case (1877); more closely concerned other bishop agitation against confession in 1858 , again in 1877.

his method throughout same: endeavoured obtain compliance law declared courts; failing this, made earnest efforts secure obedience ruling of ordinary sake of peace of church; after this, nothing. did not perceive how of reason ritualists had on side: fighting practices which, contended, covered letter of rubric; , that, rubrics notoriously disregarded on hands, not fair proceed against 1 class of delinquent only. in fact, if others inclined ignore altogether, tait hardly realise connection between english church , state. such position there seemed no escape in legislation deprivation of recalcitrant clergy; , public worship regulation act 1874 result.

addington palace, tait died.

for tait no means responsible whole: of provisions proved irksome result of amendments lord shaftesbury bishops unable resist; , must borne in mind disastrous results of measure not contemplated instrumental in passing it. results followed inevitably: clergy cited before new tribunal, , not deprived imprisoned. widespread feeling of indignation spread not among high churchmen, among many cared little or nothing ritual practices involved; , seemed impossible foretell outcome be. aged archbishop moved as anybody, , tried hard mitigate such state of things.

at length, when rev. ah mackonochie on point of being deprived of benefice of st. alban s, holborn, contumacy, archbishop, on deathbed @ addington palace, took steps resulted in carrying out of exchange of benefices (which had been projected), removed him jurisdiction of court. proved turning-point; , although ritual difficulty no means ceased, afterwards dealt different point of view, , public worship regulation act became practically obsolete.