Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 36.djvu/71

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Manning
65
Manning

the progress of rationalism within the church of England as shown by the judgment of the privy council in regard to the 'Essays and Reviews' and the impotence of convocation in the matter. A third on 'The Workings of the Holy Spirit in the Church of England,' addressed to Dr. Pusey, elicited that theologian's celebrated 'Eirenicon.' All three letters, with a pastoral on 'The Reunion of Christendom,' issued in 1866, and an historical introduction, were reprinted in 1867 under the title 'England and Christendom' (London, 8vo).

On the death of Cardinal Wiseman, Manning preached his funeral sermon at St. Mary's, Moorfields (23 Feb. 1865). On 30 April following the pope, obedient to an inward voice which said ever to him 'mettetelo li,' 'mettetelo li' (place him there), nominated Manning to the vacant see of Westminster, though he had been passed over by the chapter. He was consecrated at St. Mary's, Moorfields, on 8 June, received the pallium at Rome on Michaelmas day, and was enthroned at St. Mary's, Moorfields, on 6 Nov. The same year he published 'The Temporal Mission of the Holy Ghost' (London, 8vo, later edits. 1877, 1888, 1892), in which he retracted certain 'errors' contained in his Anglican writings and expounded the Roman catholic doctrine of the functions of the Holy Spirit in his fourfold relation to the church, human reason, holy scripture, and tradition. Ten years later he published a complementary volume on 'The Temporal Mission of the Holy Ghost' (London, 8vo), in which he dealt with the work of the Holy Ghost in the individual soul. These two treatises contain his most characteristic and systematic teaching.

As an archbishop Manning was by no means disposed to minimise his authority, and his autocratic methods were at first the more irksome to the clergy within his jurisdiction by contrast with the easy-going ways of his predecessor. Gradually, however, he established cordial relations with all his subordinates. If exacting towards others, he by no means spared himself. During the greater part of his long tenure of office it was his custom to spend his summer holidays in visiting the principal towns of the northern dioceses, preaching, lecturing, and holding receptions as he went. A thorough ultramontane, he italianised the vestments of his priests and their pronunciation of Latin, discountenanced all music but the Gregorian, and heartily approved of the papal veto placed upon Newman's scheme for a Roman catholic hall at Oxford. The church, he held, must provide for the education of her children within her own unity, and the paramount need of the hour was primary education. Accordingly in 1866 he established the Westminster Diocesan Education Fund, for the maintenance and extension of Roman catholic primary schools. He also founded in various parts of the diocese, homes, orphanages, industrial, reformatory, and poor schools for Roman catholic children, and spared no pains to obtain their legal custody from boards of guardians and other authorities. By a quarter of a century of such patient labour he succeeded in doubling the number of children in receipt of education in his schools, though the Roman catholic population had not increased. (For details see his 'Lenten Pastoral' for 1890 and 'The Month' for February 1892.)

In order not to overtax the liberality of his people he suffered the scheme for a cathedral at Westminster to remain in abeyance, but founded in 1867 the pro-cathedral at Kensington. Plans, however, were drawn and funds accumulated for the cathedral, for which in 1868 the site of the disused Tothill Fields Prison was secured. In 1872 a roomy but barrack-like structure, which had served as a club for the guards in Carlisle Place, Vauxhall Bridge Road, was purchased at a low figure, and converted into an archiepiscopal residence. Thither Manning removed from the house in York Place, Baker Street, which had been his residence since his accession to the see, and there he resided in great simplicity, yet hospitable with the hospitality of the true Christian bishop, for the rest of his life.

To prepare the way for the œcumenical council of 1870, Manning issued two pastorals, viz. 'The Centenary of St. Peter and the General Council' (London, 1867, 8vo) and 'The Œcumenical Council and the Infallibility of the Roman Pontiff' (London, 1869, 8vo), in which he marshalled at great length the evidence for the thesis of the infallibility of the pope, at the same time dealing superciliously with Gallicanism—an attitude which drew a reply from Dupanloup. As a member of the 'Deputatio pro Rebus ad Fidem pertinentibus' Manning played a prominent part in the proceedings of the council. At its close he issued another pastoral expository of its several decrees, entitled 'The Vatican Council and its Definitions' (London, 1870, 8vo). The three letters were reissued in one volume entitled 'Petri Privilegium' in 1871 (London, 8vo).

Ever vigilant in regard to education, Manning had issued a pastoral on the subject in the autumn of 1869, warning his clergy that a great controversy was impending. While at Rome, amid the stress and strain of the council he found time to master the details of Mr. Forster's measure, and on his return