about, or worshiped, under the veils of bread and wine, we have already in the canons prohibited such acts and gestures as might be grounded on it, or lead thereto; and it is sufficiently implied in the note at the end of the Communion Office (and we now afresh declare) that the posture of kneeling prescribed to all communicants is not appointed for any purpose of such adoration; but only for a signification of our bumble and grateful acknowledgment of the benefits of Christ which are in the Lord's Supper given to all worthy receivers, and for the avoiding of such profanation and disorder as might ensue if some such reverent and uniform posture were not enjoined.

In the formularies relating to baptism we have made no substantial change, though some have desired to alter or omit certain expressions touching which diversities of opinion have prevailed among faithful members of our Church. At the same time, we desire fully to recognize the liberty of expounding these formularies hitherto allowed by the general practice of the Church. And as concerning those points whereupon such liberty has been allowed, we hereby further declare that no minister of this Church is required to hold or teach any doctrine which has not been clearly determined by the Articles of Religion. The special absolution in the office for Visitation of the Sick has been the cause of offense to many; and as it is a form unknown to the Church in ancient times, and as we saw no adequate reason for its retention, and no ground for asserting that its removal would make any change in the doctrine of the Church, we have deemed it fitting that, in the special cases contemplated in this office, and in that for the Visitation of Prisoners, absolution should be pronounced to penitents in the form appointed in the office for the Holy Communion.

No change has been made in the formula of ordination of priests, though desired by some; for, upon a full review of our formularies, we deem it plain, and here declare, that, save in the matter of ecclesiastical censures, no power or authority is by them ascribed to the Church, or to any of its ministers, in respect of forgiveness of sins after baptism, other than that of declaring and pronouncing, on God's part, remission of sins to all that are truly penitent, to the quieting of their conscience, and the removal of all doubt and scruple; nor is it anywhere in our formularies taught or implied that confession to, and absolution by, a priest are any conditions of God's pardon; but, on the contrary, it is fully taught that all Christians who sincerely repent, and unfeignedly believe the Gospel, may draw nigh, as worthy communicants, to the Lord's table, without any such confession or absolution; which comfortable doctrine of God's free forgiveness of sin is also more largely set forth in the Homily of Repentance, and in that

of the Salvation of Mankind.

With reference to the Athanasian Creed (commonly so called), we have removed the rubric directing its use on certain days; but, in so doing, this Church has not withdrawn its witness as expressed in the Articles of Religion, and here again renewed, to the truth of the Articles of the Christian Faith therein contained.

In revising the Table of Lessons, we have judged it convenient to follow generally the new table which the Church of England has lately adoptedwith these principal exceptions, that whereas in that table some lessons are still taken out of the books called Apocryphal, we have so arranged ours as that all the lessons shall be taken out of the Canonical Scriptures; and we have included in our. Lectionary

the whole of the Revelation of St. John.

After the adoption of the preface, the following resolution, offered by the Bishop of Meath, and drawn, as he stated, in such a way as not to commit any member on the validity

of what had been done, or left undone, was adopted without a dissenting vote: "Bearing in mind the great difficulties and danger of the ordeal through which the Church of Ireland has been called to pass during the last six years, this synod desires to record hereby its thankfulness to Almighty God for having, during that interval, so mercifully preserved the Church from the great peril of disunion, and for having otherwise vouchsafed to it so many tokens of his superintending care and guidance." Among the later resolutions of the synod was one that the office of burial be not used for any that die unbaptized, excommunicated, or by deliberate suicide, and one in repudiation of auricular confession and priestly absolution. The Bishop of Derry announced his intention of withdrawing from the synod "for the present," in consequence of the adoption of the preface, and stated in a letter to the Lord Primate that he was determined to have neither "art nor part" in narrowing the basis of the Church. The Archdeacon of Dublin published a card calling for clergymen dissenting from the new Prayer-Book to enter a formal protest under the act before the 1st of June. He held that everything done toward revision during the current year was illegal, no enabling statute having been passed by the new synod, as was done in 1873.

of the ecclesiastical authorities in England was called early in the year to a case of intrusion by one of the colonial bishops upon the functions of the Scotch bishops. Some English Episcopal churches in Scotland, not being satisfied with the existing Episcopal oversight, and desiring the offices of an English bishop, invited Dr. Beckles, late Bishop of Sierra Leone, who was holding the position of a beneficed clergyman in London, to become their presiding bishop. He accordingly visited Scotland, and confirmed in one day about seventy candidates in two churches in Edinburgh, doing so in opposition, it was said, to the remonstrance of his diocesan, the Bishop of London, and to the known views of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Primus of Scotland addressed Dr. Beckles a letter, protesting against his course. The Archbishop of Canterbury disavowed all sympathy with his action; the Convocation of York unanimously declared it to be a violation of ecclesiastical law; and the Convocation of Canterbury pronounced it schismatical, and "contrary to the rules of the Catholic Church." Bishop Beckles defended his conduct in a letter addressed to the English Episcopal Church in Scotland, in which he said that, previous to performing his Episcopal functions, he had consulted persons qualified to give an opinion upon ecclesiastical law, who assured him that the course he purposed to pursue would be perfectly legal.

III. THE SCOTTISH CHURCH.-The attention

IV. THE CANADIAN CHURCH.-The ninth annual meeting of the Provincial Synod of Canada was held at Montreal, beginning September

12th. The Metropolitan presided at the opening session, and delivered the opening address. In it he referred to the marvelous progress which the Church had made during the past sixteen years, and mentioned that, within his own experience of eight years, the numerical dimensions of the synod had nearly doubled, it having increased from five to nine dioceses. One diocese had been added during the year. Concerning the subject of the election and consecration of bishops, and the right of bishops to interfere with nominations to that office, in the discussion of which the Church was much interested, the Metropolitan stated the position of the bishops to be, that they desired nothing more than legitimate protection against the possibility of having an unfit person forced upon them for consecration, while the synods wished to guard against any undue interference with their acknowledged rights of election. The Metropolitan also expressed himself as thankful that the Canadian Church had been spared those painful controversial scenes which had disturbed the Church in other lands. The Very Reverend Archdeacon Whitaker was chosen Prolocutor of the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies. The most important business transacted by the synod consisted in the adoption of the canon on the consecration of a bishop. This canon as adopted provides that, on the election of a bishop, à certificate of election shall be sent to the Metropolitan, who shall within seven days send formal notice of the election to all the bishops within his ecclesiastical province. Should any bishop desire to object to the consecration of the person elected, on the ground of canonical disability, he shall make the objection in writing, delivered to the Metropolitan within fourteen days of the notification to him of the election, setting forth his reasons in full. In case of his receiving objections, the Metropolitan shall summon the House of Bishops to meet within one month to consider the objections, and shall send a copy of the objections, and a notification of the time and place of the meeting, to the candidate objected to, at least twenty-one days before the appointed time. If the objection is declared canonical, and sustained by the House of Bishops, another person must be elected in place of the rejected candidate. The bishop who makes the objection is not permitted to vote at the final decision, and bishops objecting to the consecration are not required to participate in it. The following are defined as canonical objections, on the sustaining of which only the election of a bishop may be nullified: 1. That the person elected is not fully thirty years of age; 2. That he is not a priest in holy orders of the Church of England, or of some branch of the Church in full communion therewith; 3. That he is deficient in learning; 4. That he has either directly or indirectly secured, or attempted to secure, the office by any improper means; 5. That he is guilty of any other crime

or immorality; 6. That he holds and teaches, or has, within five years previous to the date of his election, taught or held, anything contrary to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England. A proposition had been made at the previous session of the synod for authorizing the ordination of deacons at twentyone years of age, and had been referred to a committee to consider and report upon at the present session. The committee reported unfavorably to the proposition, and its report was adopted. The committee appointed by the previous synod, on intercommunion with the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, made a report, which was adopted. It recommended, first, that great caution be exercised with respect to the testimonials produced by clergymen coming from the United States; secondly, that letters of commendation and information be given to families or individuals emigrating to the United States; thirdly, that a bishop suspending or deposing a clergyman from the ministry shall give notice of the same to all the other bishops of the Church in the United States and British North America; fourthly, that the Metropolitan be requested to take steps for the appointment of an editor to furnish missionary intelligence from Canada for insertion in the Spirit of Missions. A resolution was approved, giving permission, with the written sanction and approval of the bishop, to use a shortened form of morning and evening prayer on Sundays and holidays, when the clergymen shall deem it desirable, either from the peculiar condition of his congregation or from the laborious nature of his ministrations. A resolution was passed declaring that "no clergyman of this ecclesiastical province shall knowingly solemnize a marriage forbidden by the 99th canon of the year A. D. 1603, which is as follows: 'No person shall marry within the degrees prohibited by the laws of God, and expressed in a table set forth by authority, in the year of our Lord God 1563.'" The House of Bishops were requested to represent to the Archbishop of Canterbury the desire of the synod that a day of humiliation and fasting be appointed to be observed previous to the meeting of the Pan-Anglican Conference in 1878, to pray to God to pardon and heal the divisions of Christendom. The Bishop of Algoma made a report to the synod of the missions in his diocese, which are chiefly to Indians. Owing to the want of funds, and of proper persons to engage in the work, no increase in the missions could be reported. The receipts for the past three years had been about $20,500, and the expenditures about $19,000. Nine clergymen, sixteen lay readers, and several schools had been supported. The Shingwauk Industrial Home contained forty boys, and was prevented only by the want of funds from receiving others who were waiting to be taken in. The Wawanosh Home, for girls, was to be opened early in October, in a part of the new building, with

ten girls as pupils. It was in contemplation to train and educate promising Indian youths as missionaries and teachers.

ARGENTINE REPUBLIC (REPÚBLICA ARGENTINA), an independent state of South America. The Republic proper extends from latitude 20° to 41° south, and from longitude 53° to 71° 17' west, being bounded on the north by Bolivia; on the east, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, and the Atlantic Ocean; on the south, Patagonia; and on the west, Bolivia and Chili, the dividing line with which last is the Cordillera of the Andes.

According to the Argentine claim, however, the extreme northern latitude is 20°, and the southern 56°, the extreme western longitude being 71° 30'; thus embracing the whole of Patagonia east of the Andes, together with Tierra del Fuego, Desolation Island, and the other smaller islands south of the Brunswick Peninsula.*

"The discussion of the boundary question with Chili," says the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in his report in 1876, "has not been resumed since its interruption last year, notwithstanding the friendly disposition of this Government to do all in its power to the end that a solution may be arrived at." The minister then recapitulates the history of this long contest, from its commencement in 1843; makes special mention of the treaty of 1856, by the terms of which it was mutually agreed upon that the limits thenceforward to be recognized should be those claimed by both countries respectively at the time of their separation from the mother country (1810); and concludes with a summary of the more recent negotiations. "The principle of arbitration having been admitted, Señor Barros Arana was accredited as Chilian Minister Plenipotentiary to Buenos Ayres in 1876. Before he had presented his credentials, however, the capture of the Maria Amalia (sailing under the Argentine flag), by a Chilian vessel, took place; and that act, together with many others of defiance on the part of Chili-as, for instance, the concession of lands on the western shore of the Sea of Otway to a French citizen, and others of similar character-was promptly and decidedly protested against by the Argentine Government." It may be added that, in the mean time, the Chilian envoy set out for Brazil, he being accredited to the court of Rio de Janeiro also; and the Argentine legation was recalled from Santiago.

The estimated population of the Republic in 1875 was set down at 1,768,681,† exclusive of savages; but, from a later statistical publication (Buenos Ayres, 1876), it would appear that, "during the six years which have elapsed since the census was taken, the population has augmented in such a degree, not only by natural increase, but also by immigration, that its

From an official report, published at Buenos Ayres, in 1876. † See ANNUAL CYCLOPEDIA for 1876.

In the matter of immigration, the strenuous efforts of the Government to attract Europeans to the Republic would seem to have been counteracted of late by some powerful influences, chief among which are, perhaps, the reports of the unfavorable condition of commerce, and those (in all probability somewhat exaggerated) of an unsettled state of political affairs in the Plata provinces. The following extract from the President's Message to Congress, in 1876, will, with the subjoined table, serve to show at the same time what has been done in this department, the results so far obtained, and what is expected of the future:

In the year 1875, 42,060 immigrants arrived, which is about one-third of the number that arrived in the years 1873 and 1874. Immigration, however, has everywhere declined, and in the United States, the reached 369,487, fell to 208,089 in 1874, and the dimhome of immigrants, the arrivals, which, in 1873, inution for the last year is even greater. The returns for the first eight months of 1875, for New York, give but 63,553 immigrants. The emigration of fixed rules, and produces in all cases the most inman, like the movement of capital, obeys certain evitable results. The immigrant asks for protection in his adopted country, and to escape from the exactions of privilege and the violence of anarchy. Rebellious and disturbed countries are not the lands real estate, and we, the owners of immense terrifor immigration. The immigrant aims to acquire tories, have not been wise enough to offer it to him. We must abolish every obstacle that impedes immigration. As yet we have done nothing to bring the strong, laborious north-of-Europe emigrant to Buenos Ayres or Rosario, for the same fare that carries him to North America. We have to do all this, and it is a misfortune when immigrants congregate in commercial cities, where they are subject to epidemics or commercial crises, which finally compel them to leave the country, as is now the case in Buenos Ayres and New York. The law (Colonization bill) proposed to you last year, and which was so favorably received by the European press, had this in view. But the passing of this law is not sufficient; we must facilitate the acquisition of land for the immigrant; we can waste no further time in determining national limits. The question is, Which has the greater power to people a country-the nation or the province? The answer in the United States is, the Nation, owing to its great resources, its authority, and its simple and uniform price for lands, which is the most permanent inducement to immigrants. We can give lands to immigrants without expense, since we own them; but, if we wish to help the immigrant, and reduce the passage

* Observe that Patagonia is here included as an Argentine territory.

money from the north of Europe, we must spend money, which, owing to the economy we have adopted, is rather a serious question. If our imports exceed our exports, we must economize more, since capital is scarce, and we have to work hard to increase it; but if economy is a sure way out of the present situation, it is also a long one. Let us economize, but let us also increase our produce, so as to establish the balance of trade. The great agent for all this is the immigrant, and happy the land that can secure so powerful an element: its troubles are but temporary, its progress constant. In every

Italians Spaniards

NATIONALITIES.

branch of public service let us economize, but let us spend money for immigration. I will not refer to the astonishing figures of Prussia in the last century, nor the fabulous history of California, where the sweat of honest labor has done far more than the richest of its gold mines; I will only show that the most reproductive expenditure of capital is that made for immigration."

The number and nationalities of the immigrants arrived at Buenos Ayres for the six years 1870-'75 inclusive are as follows:

French

English

Swiss.

Germans.

Portuguese.

Austrians

Belgians

All others.

Arrived direct.

Arrived via Montevideo..

Total........

The total number of arrivals for 1876 was but 30,965.*

The more important features of the "Colonization bill" referred to by President Avellaneda, and which became a law in 1876, are briefly as follows:

The advance of the passage-money from any European port to the city of Buenos Ayres.

The free gift of one hundred hectares (= 250 acres nearly) of land to each of the first 100 families which establish themselves in one of the sections already surveyed for colonization.

The sale of lands at $2 gold per hectare, payable in ten annual payments, commencing in the third year, without interest.

Advance of food for one year at least. Advance of working and breeding cattle, of seeds and agricultural implements, the building of a house, and, in general, of all that a family may require in such conditions.

The entire advance, excepting the price of the land, cannot exceed $1,000 gold per family, and is payable without interest, and at the cost-price of what they may have received in produce, in five annual installments commencing after the end of the first year. Moreover, the colonists are free from all taxes during ten years; and after the colony is six years old, the Government will give a prize of $10 per thousand for trees at least two years old, planted by the immigrant.

The intention of the Government is to grant these privileges chiefly to agricultural families, these being best calculated to meet the immediate requirements of the country; but, at the same time, the bill expresses the intention of favoring artisans also.

Judging from British reports, one would be justified in presuming that the new homestead lawt already alluded to had begun to yield fruit in 1877. Numerous mercantile firms, en

The total of arrivals in 1873, 1874, and 1875 was 186,975, from which should be deducted the aggregate number of departures for the same period-61,540-or an average of 20,400 per annum approximately. The departures in 1876, however, are given at 13.487-a sign of returning prosperity. + See also ANNUAL CYCLOPEDIA for 1875, page 30, and for 1976, page 88.

couraged by its provisions, proposed the establishment of new colonies in Argentine territory, and immigration was expected gradually to return to its former standard. Indeed, the general character of the immigration was already observed to be superior to that of 1875. The Minister of the Interior reported that 10,118 new settlers had been sent to the upper provinces in the course of 1876.

The President of the Republic is Dr. Don Nicolás Avellaneda (entered office on October 12, 1874); the Vice-President, Dr. Don Mariano Acosta (elected in the same year).

The cabinet is composed of the following ministers: Of the Interior, Dr. Bernardo de Irigoyen; of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Rufino de Elizalde; of Finance, Dr. Victorino de la Plaza; of Justice, Public Worship, and Public Instruction, Dr. José María Gutierrez; and of War and Marine, Dr. Adolfo Alsina.

The Argentine Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States is Sr. Dr. Don Manuel R. García; the Secretary of Legation, Sr. Don G. Videla Dorna; and the Argentine ConsulGeneral (New York), Mr. Edward F. Davison. The governors of the several provinces, etc., were as follows:

The Army, as shown by official returns, was comprised, in 1876 (exclusive of the National Guard, 8,283 strong), of 4,648 horse, 515 artillery, and 3,120 foot, with 4 generals of brigade, 7 colonels-major, 33 colonels, 92 lieutenantcolonels, and 808 other officers.

The Argentine Navy, in 1875, included 26 steam and 2 sailing vessels (2 of the former being iron-clads), of an aggregate tonnage of 12,000, and armament of 88 guns.

The annexed tables present the branches and amount of the national revenue and expenditure, as set down in the estimated budget for the fiscal year 1876-'77:

Details of the foreign debt of the nation, amounting to about $55,000,000, were given in the ANNUAL CYCLOPEDIA for 1874 and 1875.

The improvement in the condition of Argentine finances, referred to in our volume for 1876, has been progressively maintained throughout 1877; and the general aspect of that department is understood now to be more promising than it has been at any time since the beginning of the crisis, the causes of which have been elsewhere explained.* Concerning the promptitude with which the payment of interest and amortization of Argentine loans are made, we transcribe the following from a leading financial authority of London, under date of October 25, 1877:

We have satisfaction in being able to state that, according to telegrams received yesterday, the money for the next dividend and drawing on the Argentine loan of 1868 is on the way hither, by the steamer Tagus. The fact that the remittance is sent off nearly two months and a half before it is required in London, speaks volumes for the punctuality and business habits of the Argentine Government. It may also be accepted as an effective corroboration of what we have repeatedly described as the fairly healthy condition of the Argentine finances, and an equally effective contradiction of the false and reckless misstatements which are continually being disseminated in London on the subject.

The following review of the Argentine finances, from 1863 down to the present time, published in London in October, 1877, and *See foot-note, page 34, ANNUAL CYCLOPEDIA for 1875.

traced to diplomatic sources, is based upon the report of the Argentine Minister of Finance for that year:

During this period there has been a surplus expenditure of nearly $60,000,000, or 33 per cent. over the revenue, principally caused by the Paraguayan war and internal revolutions. Last year was financially so disastrous, that we find no parallel except the year of yellow fever, 1871. The decline of trade placed the Government in a critical position, and the customs receipts were, of course, much lower than before. The expenditure extraordinary" during the 14 years is set down at $78,869,936, of which Hence, but for that expenditure extraordinary, there $15,877,930 went in the construction of railways. would have been a surplus of $13,000,000 in the Treasury, the revenue of 14 years showing that excess over the cost of government in the same period. At present there are 1,140 miles of railway, including 500 miles which belong to the national Government. The balance of floating debt_handed over to 1877 was $5,696,816. The ways and means for 1876 were made up thus: Year's revenue, $13,583,633; borrowed, $12,570,244: total, $26,153,877. Comparing the revenue of 1876 with the previous year, we find a decline of 25 per cent. in import duties, 1 per cent. in exports, 28 per cent. in warehouse fees, 22 per cent. in stamps, 6 per cent. in telegraphs. During the last 14 years the Government has redeemed $24,750,000 of the public debt: 30 per cent. of the total, besides paying $43,500,000 for interest. The annual service of the debts amounts to $6,500,000, or an average interest of nearly 6 per cent. per annum on the debts all round, and 4 per cent. annual amortization. The bank has made 10 loans since 1865 in favor of the national Government, down to December 31, 1876. In the budget for 1878, Minister Plaza begins by cutting down the national expenditure to what it was 10 years ago-say $16,000,000. The expenditure in the last seven years (1870-'76) amounted to $154,000,000

say $22,000,000 per annum. Minister Plaza calculates on an increase of 10 per cent. in imports, which is highly probable, as the country is slowly recuperating. If the Government and Congress keep on for a few years in the same wise spirit of economy and good book-keeping as this budget indicates, the Republic will soon be in a flourishing condition.

"One-perhaps, indeed, the only - weak point of the Argentine state machine," writes an Argentine economist, "is, beyond all doubt, its finance system. Hitherto the only resources of the federal Government are indirect taxes upon the revenues of its custom-house, the extent of which depends entirely on the condition of commerce. When there is a brisk import and export trade, the receipts of the Government increase, and their diminution is determined by a commercial crisis. Inasmuch, therefore, as the revenue is directly influenced by the fluctuations of trade, in time of straits the Government is not only powerless to relieve the situation, but constrained to increase the imports, that being regarded as the only immediately available means of averting financial disaster. Then, the Government itself suffers in all its branches from commercial crises; for, having to meet the numerous exigencies incidental to new countries, it never has an opportunity of securing a sufficient surplus in a good year to cover the deficit of a

1,893 in actual traffic.