er what are the duties and
responsibilities of Churchwardens, that I have thought it might be useful
to publish the following remarks, which were in substance delivered in my
charge to the Clergy and Churchwardens of the Archdeaconry of Winchester
in the Spring of 1889. Many requests were then made to me that I would
publish my charge as a manual for Churchwardens, and it is in consequence
of those requests that this publication has been put forth.

Let me first refer to the origin of the office. The name appears in
connection with the ecclesiastical history of the fourth century. St.
Augustine refers to certain officers in the Church called _seniores
Ecclesiastici_. These officers were not ordained persons, but yet had
some concern in the care of the Church. They were entrusted with the
treasure and management of the outward affairs of the Church. These
persons may be looked upon as the ecclesiastical ancestors of our present
race of Churchwardens. {2} In Lyndwood's _Provinciale_ there are
allusions in some of the Provincial Constitutions of the fourteenth and
fifteenth Centuries which seem to point to officers in connection with
the Church corresponding to our present Churchwardens. It is not,
however, until after the Reformation that we find their duties distinctly
defined in successive Canons, as in 1571 (Cardwell's _Synodalia_, I,
122), in 1597 (Cardwell's _Synodalia_, I, 160), and in our own Canons of
1603.

It is not desirable on the present occasion to trace the variations in
the duties of Churchwardens through successive centuries. Each age has,
of course, its own special features, and may require different treatment
to its predecessor, but there is no doubt whatever as to the fact that
ever since the Reformation Churchwardens have been recognised as officers
of the Church, with their position and duties distinctly defined both by
canon and statute law. Before particularising their duties I must point
out what is the law as to their election.

Who, then are qualified to be Churchwardens?

Aliens, Roman Catholics, Jews, children under ten years of age, and
persons who have been convicted of felony are absolutely disqualified.

The following cannot be compelled to serve the office if they personally
object to do so:

Peers, Sheriffs, Clergymen, Members of the House of Commons, Magistrates,
Barristers and Solicitors, Physicians and Surgeons, Dissenting Ministers,
Officers in the Navy or Army on ful