Let me give very emphatically this caution. If aggrieved parishioners come to a Churchwarden and endeavour to persuade him to join a cave of Adullam, he should be careful not to be rash or hasty in his answer. He must not take all for granted which heated partisans may allege, but remember there are always two sides to every question. We are none of us infallible in our judgment, and many matters after consultation with others assume a very different aspect to that which at first sight they seemed to present. If difficulties arise he must not threaten. It does more harm than good. Let him try what conciliation will do. Let him see whether common ground of action cannot be found. Certainly it is unwise to rush into print; it only tends to inflame the smouldering embers of a quarrel which, but for the unfortunate publicity given to it, might soon have come to a happy termination. Churchwardens _must_ work with the Clergy and the Clergy with the Churchwardens if they are to be a blessing in the parish in which they are elected to serve. They 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.