ABSTRACT
Religion from primitive times has been accepted as necessary to the maintenance of civil order. In more recent times the existence of a divine law backed by the sanctions of hell-fire has still been regarded as an essential support of the secular power. Under the influence of utilitarianism, the older philosophy has been on the decline, other arguments in favour of the church have been heard that endeavour to meet the rationalist on his own ground. The Church of England, ever since the conversion of King Ethelbert of Kent, has been an established part of the system of government. The continuing connection between church and State is shown in a variety of ways. Parliament, although it includes the representatives of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of many creeds as well as none, still has supreme control over the church. Queen Victoria was responsible for many high appointments in the church.
