have not been brought by chance into
connection with the Incumbent of their parish, for chance is not a word
to be found in the Christian's dictionary.

With regard to all these cases, if difficulties arise in connection with
any of them it is seldom, if ever, wise to stand out for strict law. If
the matter cannot be settled amicably the interposition of the Rural Dean
or Archdeacon, or, as a final resort, the Bishop, will often smooth a
wrinkled brow and restore to a parish the inestimable blessing of peace.

It is because I feel the great importance and usefulness of the office of
a Churchwarden, that I have ventured, in accordance with the wish so
kindly expressed by those to whom the foregoing words were in substance
addressed, to publish them in this more permanent form; and I have only
to express the hope that they may be found useful in pointing out to
Churchwardens that their office, far from being a sinecure, may, if
faithfully used, tend very directly to the furtherance of our common
Master's cause, and that work done by them in a spirit of faith and love
will not lose its reward in the great Hereafter.

GEORGE HENRY GUILDFORD.

THE CLOSE, WINCHESTER,
_August_, _1897_.

APPENDIX I.

QUEEN'S BENCH DIVISION.
(_Before_ LORD COLERIDGE _and_ MR. JUSTICE MATHEW.)
THE QUEEN V. HARDING, VICAR OF BECKENHAM.

This case raised the question whether, in new parishes under the Church
Building Acts, it is necessary that Churchwardens shall be residents in
the parish or whether it is enough that they are rated occupiers. The
question had arisen under these circumstances. There was a new Church
built and consecrated in Beckenham, Kent, in 1875, and by an Order in
Council in 1878 a district was constituted and annexed to it under the
Church Building Act, 59 Geo. III, cap. 134, sec. 16, constituting a
"district chapelry." In 1885, on the death of the Incumbent, all the
fees of the district became due and payable to the Minister of the new
Church, and then, by the operation of Lord Blandford's Act (19 and 20
Vict., cap. 104), the district became a separate parish for
ecclesiastical purposes; and the question was what effect this had as to
the election of Churchwardens. Under 8 and 9 Vict., cap. 70, sec. 6, it
was provided that "two fit and proper persons should be annually elected
Churchwardens, they residing within the district;" and if that statute
appli