do authorize you, subject to his
approval, to read Prayers and to read and explain the Holy Scriptures
in the School thereof, or in other rooms within the parish, and
generally to render aid to the Incumbent in all ministrations which
do not strictly require the service of a Minister in Holy Orders.
And we further authorize you to render similar aid in other Parishes
in our Diocese, at the written request, in each case, of the
Incumbent. And we hereby declare that this our Commission shall
remain valid until it shall be revoked by us or our successors
(whether _mero motu_, or at the written request of the said D. E.),
or until a fresh admission to the said parish of C. shall have been
made. And so we commend you to ALMIGHTY GOD, Whose blessing we
humbly pray may rest upon you and your work. Given under our hand
and seal, &c.

At present the Association consists of 44 lawyers and medical men, 141
clerks, 48 mechanics and labourers, and 156 ranged under the head of
miscellaneous. They aim to strengthen the hands of laymen already at
work by bringing them into closer relationship with the Bishop and with
one another, and to call out more lay help by making known the kind of
work in which the clergy want assistance. Recently the Association has
been very active on the subject, and has held many meetings in all parts
of the metropolis. At these meetings undoubtedly much good has been
done; a distinguished layman has taken the chair; a paper carefully
prepared has been read upon the subject, and then a discussion of more or
less interest and value has ensued.

Great care is taken in the appointment of suitable agents. They must be
communicants sanctioned by the Bishop; a register of the names and
addresses of the members is kept, showing what description of work each
unemployed member may be willing to undertake, and also of the place and
nature of the work in which each unemployed member is engaged. Upon the
application of incumbents, members of the Association are put into
communication with them, with a view to such arrangements for lay
assistance in parochial work as may be mutually agreed upon. Once in
every year the members attend Divine service and receive the Holy
Communion together. Once, at least, in every year a meeting of the
members is held under the presidency of the Bishop if possible, in order
to consult together upon one or more of the various bra