CONFIDENTIAL.
Miscellan
место
Correspondence,
p. 7.
The Church Question in the Colonies.
Mr. Labouchere,
am
ON the best consideration which I am able to give to the grave question on which you have done me the honour of consulting with I
me, decidedly unfavourable to any measure which should tend towards dissolving the connection between Church and State in the Colonies.
It is not clear to me that the three Canadian Bishops, in terms, desire this. Their petition is, that they may be empowered "to frame rules and canons for their own guidance and governance, and See, as regards the proceed to elect their own bishops." These objects Election of Bishops, may be conceded without absolute disruption from Correspondence, p. 11.
[The Archbishop is apparently 1854. Mr. Merivale tells me
the Church and State in England. Independently of other objections, an avowed separation would give rise to very troublesome discussion and agitation in this country.
It is shown in the able paper, signed "H. M," page
aware of the Bill brought in in 7, that the difficulties justly complained of in the
that his attention had not been Colonies may be removed by an Act empowering called to it when he wrote his the clergy and laity to meet in Synod, and determine
minute.-H. L]
upon certain rules and regulations for the govern- ance of their church, which has at present no such settled regulations in regard to endowments, patron- age, or discipline, such regulations to be submitted to the Local Legislatures and subsequently confirmed (if approved) by Parliament, or by Her Majesty in Council. It can hardly be argued that Her Majesty's Supremacy would be thus affected, unless it should be held that any law or regulation concerning the Church must necessarily originate with Her Majesty in person. Such a measure as I have described was in substance the measure originally sketched out in 1853, of which a draft is inclosed. It received the -sanction of parties who afterwards opposed the Bill in both Houses; having been in its progress
[406]
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TTTTC.O.885
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