CO885(2-3) — Page 60

Enel, in No. 5.

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rend and Right Reverend the Archbishops and Bishops forming the Committee appointed to arrange measures in concert with Her Majesty's Government, for the erection and endowment of additional bishops in the Colonies and Dependencies of Great Britain, praying that the Diocese of Toronto might be beneficially divided into three distinct sees, and ulti- mately a fourth see, to superintend the Indian Missions, and those of the white population

on the banks of the great Canadian lakes.

No steps having been taken towards the accomplishment of the object prayed for, I renewed my application, with_additional reasons, on the 5th of February, 1853; and enclosed copies of the two memorials to his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, then Secretary for the Colonies.

His Grace was pleased to state in reply, "that Her Majesty's Government will be prepared to countenance whatever plan may be resolved on by the members of the Church of England in Canada itself, for the subdivision of the diocese of Toronto."

The Archbishop of Canterbury, with whom I have been also in communication on the subject, in a letter dated the 10th February, 1834, says, "I can assure your Lordship that the measure of dividing your extensive diocese is seen here in the same light as by yourselves, and the only difficulty in the way, is the want of an adequate endowment for a second bishop."

Although this appears to be the sole obstacle to the subdivision of the diocese, I saw no chance of its being removed by any assistance from a distance; I therefore bethought myself of trying what might be done here. Accordingly on the 10th of January, 1854, I addressed a pastoral letter to the clergy and laity of the diocese, recommending the creation of an Episcopal Endowment Fund, to provide for the support of the new bishops, on condition of being allowed to choose them from among our own clergy.

Encouraging progress has been inade in the different sections of the diocese proposed as the new sees, and more especially in the western section, in which the subscriptions already amount to nearly 10,000, and will soon reach the maximum 12,5007, which is considered at present sufficient for the endowment of a bishopric, because at 6 per cent.. our legal interest, it would yieki 7501. per annum. Hence, should the privilege be granted by Her Majesty to the Synod of each diocese to elect their own bishop, we may soon have one for the western district of this diocese, and the others will rapidly follow.

Nor will this boon seem unreasonable, when the present position of the Church in Canada is tenderly considered.

The Church has just been deprived of all her property by the Pro- vincial Legislature, merely leaving to her clergy their stipends and allowances, during their natural lives and incumbencies, but without the slightest means at her disposal to extend her limits, or to fill up the vacancies which will be daily occurring; she therefore requires to be made as complete as possible within herself, in all her arrangements, even to preserve her existence, and this can only be effected by uniting her elergy and laity in synodical action. Seeing this state of things approach- ing. I have held two Synods-the first in October 1853, and the second în October 1854. I have the honour to inclose a printed copy of the proceedings of each, for your Excellency's information, and I am happy to state that they have met with the general and cordial approbation of our Church in all parts of the world.

The subdivision of the diocese was taken up on both occasions, and it was felt on all sides that it presented labour enough for three instead of one bishop, and is yearly becoming more and more beyond the strength of any individual.

From what the Duke of Newcastle says in his letter, as quoted above, we are encouraged to believe, that if the Church in Canada undertakes to Support her own bishops, Her Majesty's Government would think it but reasonable to permit them to be chosen by her Synods from among her own clergy; men who have served long in the Colony, and are acquainted from expérience with the hardships and difficulties of missionary life, as well as the more urgent wants of a Colonial diocese. All appointments,

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with the exception of the Governor-General, are now made in the province, and we do not anticipate that the boon we pray for, which is so necessary to the extension and prosperity of the Church, will be any longer

withheld.

I have, &c. (Signed)

JOHN TORONTO.

The Right Hon. Sir George Grey, Bart.,

&c.

Sue.

&c.

Enclosure in No. 5.

Ar a meeting of the Committee of General Management for the Rural Deanery of London, convened for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of subscriptions obtained towards an Episcopal Fund for the Western Section of the Diocese of Toronto, the following Address to the Lord Bishop of Toronto, was adopted.

To the Right Honourable aud Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Toronto.

May it please your Lordship,-We, the Committee of General Management for the Rural Deanery of London, beg leave to report for your Lordship's information, that the subscription set on foot, in accordance with your Lordship's instructions, in order to provide a fund for the maintenance of a bishop in the western section of the diocese of Toronto, has met with a very encouraging measure of success in every place where an appeal has been made to the members of the Church.

That we rejoice in being able to state to your Lordship, that the sum now actually subscribed amounts to nearly 10,000%; and we do not hesitate to state our conviction, that in a very short time a sum sufficient to produce 750% per annum will be subscribed, as there are several important places within the limits of the proposed new diocese which have not yet been appealed to for this object.

In the meantime, it is respectfully submitted to your Lordship that by the terms of the subscription list, all subscriptions are to be paid or secured to the fund on the 1st day of January, 1855. But the Committee will not be in a position to call upon the members of our Church to pay, or to secure the several amounts subscribed by them, until the condition suggested by your Lordship, and embodied in the heading of the subscription lists, namely, That the clergy and lay delegates within the limits of the proposed new diocese shall be allowed to elect their own bishops," shall have been formally sanctioned by the authorities at home.

We, therefore, most respectfully pray your Lordship to take such steps as you may deem expedient, in order that the division of the diocese, sú strongly recommended by your Lordship, may take place, and the sanction of Her Majesty the Queen, to the election of the bishop by the clergy and lay-delegates within the limits of the proposed new diocese, may be obtained as soon as possible.

London, Canada West, 30th December, 1854.

(Signed)

BENJAMIN CRONYN, M.A.

Rural Dean of London, Canada West, Chairman

of the Committee of General Management.

No. 6.

Cory of a DESPATCH from Lord Jous RUSSELL to Governor Sir EDMUND HEAD.

(No. 3.)

Sin,

Downing Street, May 4, 1855.

I HAVE to acknowledge your despatch Ny 26 of the 31st March last, inclosing an Address to Her Majesty from the Legislative Council and Commous of Canada in Parliament assembled, praying for the repeal of such English statutes as impede the meeting of the clergy and laity of the Church of England in Synod, and that the choice of the bishops may be left to the clergy and laity of each diocese.

No. 6.

COLLITI

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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C.O.

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