CO885-(2-3) — Page 66

CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO

Whilst we should be willing to adopt the constitution of the Episcopal Church in America, we are opposed to the introduction of any changes into the diocese at present, until we are first made fully acquainted with the principles of the proposed new con- stitution.

.

We are also of opinion that many other parishes in the diocese coincide with us on these points, and would rather that things should remain as they are at present in the diocese ; and if any legislative interference be required, we would rather that it should be instituted ⚫here in our Colonial Parliament, upon the joint representation of the Church.

We therefore hope that your Lordship will defer the consideration of the Colonial Church Bill now before Parliament, and allow the enclosed resolutions from the second parish in importance in the diocese to have some weight.

We have, &c.

Robert Fitzgerald Uniacke, A. M.,

Rector of St. George's.

(signed)

(signed)

John T. Walford,

J. W, Merket,

Churchwardens.

CHURCH CONVOCATION (NOVA SCOTIA).

521

ment into the Legislature which they are of opinion cannot be carried. The Crown, in its legislative as well as its administrative capacity, is compelled to change its policy; but in the case of a bishop with a right of veto, sitting in a synod of clergy and laity, his position is very different; he sits and debates in the same chamber, and by expressing an absolute and irresponsibic opinion, he must necessarily influence the independent action of the clergy and inity, and thus (as in Vernon) nothing is put to vote in the Convention which does not comport with the views entertained by the diocesan; the Bishop thereby possessing the power which is not recognised in any fiee constitution in Europe or America.

Resolved,―That this parish remains unaltered in its opinion, expressed in its resolutions of September 1854, and respectfully protest against the formation of such a convention, as calculated to disturb the present harmony and unity of this diocese, und to lead to the intro- duction of novelties and changes destructive of the peace of the Church.

Resolved, That this meeting desire to express their respect for their Bishop, and regret that they are compelled to differ with him in opinion on this important subject.

Resolved, That the foregoing Resolutions be forwarded by the rector and churchwardens, accompanied by suitable remonstrances to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Colonial Secretary, aud that they be also published.

Passed unanimously.

Encl. 2, in No. 1.

(A true Copy.)

(signed)

John C. Crurgen,

Vestry Clerk.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.

Reference :-

885

2 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

Enclosure 2, in No. 1.

Parish of Saint George's, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 9 April 1855:

EXTRACT from the Minutes of a Meeting of the Church Wardens, Vestry and Parishioners, held this day at the Parish School House.

Ox motion of J. W. Merket, Esq., seconded by F. W. Morris, Esq., the following Resolutions were submitted:

Whereas, at the parish meeting, held in St. George's parish, in the City of Halifax, on the 18th September 1854, it was unanimously resolved,

"That this meeting is of opinion that the establishment of periodical Church assemblies in this diocese, at the present time, is both inexpedient and unadvisable."

"That the Bill passed last year by the House of Lords, referred to in the recent circular of his Lordship the Bishop to the clergy, and by which Bill he states the assembly is to be governed, is inadequate to a full and free synodical action, and would not sufficiently enlarge the privileges of churchmen, inasmuch as by the provisions of that Bill no voice is allowed to clergy or laity in the future nom nation or appointment of their bishop, and, further, that no regulations for the management of Church affairs are valid without the consent of the Bishop: that while we respect the office of a Bishop, we do not approve of a Bishop possessing the power to nullify the deliberate action of so large aud influential a body as the clergy and laity." And at which meeting Napean Clark and Thos. B. Aiken, Esquires, were appointed delegates to represent the congregation of St. George's, with instructions to oppose the fonuation of a Church Synod.

And whereas our said delegates have this day reported their proceedings to this meeting, Resolved, "That this meeting approve of the course pursued by the said delegates, in voting against the establishment of a Diocesan Synod or Convention in Nova Scotia.”

Resolved, "That in consequence of it being the intention of the Bishop to construct the Synod, in conformity with the terms of a certain Act, introduced into the House of Lords in 1853, which places an unconditional veta in the Diocesan on all the proceedings of colonial synods, it is the opinion of this meeting that such a constitution would not be acceptable to the laity, because a direct unqualified veto in the Bishop, in his capacity of a separate branch of the synod, would in a great measure deprive the clergy and luity of that independent position which would render it worth the while of laymen to take an interest in Church legislation; that such a constitution would give to the opinion of one person a greater weight than the collective opinions of the whole body of the clergy and laity of the diocese, and they are confirmed in this opinion by the working of the system in the American diocese of Vermont, where the convention is in fact reduced to a cipher, as is shown by the words of Bishop Hopkins, of that diocese, in his pamphlet lately polished, who says, "If the proposition under debate be so obnoxious to the Bishop's judgment that he cannot accede to it, he says so, and there is no vote taken at all."

That this meeting is strengthened in their opinion by the fact, that out of above 32 dioceses in the United States of America, but one has adopted the veto; all the other - bishops having relinquished any claim to such an authority in the various conventions, though in some of the dioceses where the Bishop disagrees to the measure passed by the Convention, the question is sent back for further discussion, when two-thirds of both lergy and laity must affirm it before it can pass in opposition to the opinion of the Bishop.

That by placing an unqualified veto on the Bishop, he becomes clothed with a power beyond that of the Sovereign under the British constitution, who, though a separate branch of the Legislature, yet exercises no direct veto in opposition to the other two branches. In the case of the Sovereign, there is a council slected trom the other two branches, who advise the Crown, so that no important measure is introduced by Guvern-

mut

(No. 6.)

No. 2.

Copy of a DESPATCH from Lieutenant-Governor Sir J. G. Le Marchant to the Right Honourable Lord John_Russell.

My Lord,

Halifax, N. S., 24 May 1855.

(Received 4 June 1855,)

A DESPATCH, NO. 6, dated 27th April last, which I had the honour of receiving

on the 8th of May, enclosed to me the copy of a letter from the rector and

No. 2. Lieut, Governor

Sir J. G. Le Mar- chant to the Right Hon. Lord Jolin Russell.

24 May 1835.

April 18-

churchwardens of St. George's parish, Halifax, Nova Scotia, together with certain 9 April 1855.

resolutions, passed at a public meeting, on the subject of the establishment of a Church Convocation in that diocese.

The letter of the rector and churchwardens, therein referred to, I conceived it my duty to forward to the Archdeacon of this diocese, in the absence of the Lord Bishop of Nova Scotia, with a request that he would be so good as to afford me the benefit of any report or observations which the importance of the subject, in

his opinion, may require, for your Lordship's information.

Archdeacon, by which your Lordship will perceive, that the Bishop of Nova Scotia 23 May 1855.

I now have the honour to transmit to your Lordship the enclosed report of the

has lately received a letter from the Archbishop of Canterbury, in which he con- gratulates his Lordship on the success which has attended his first movements, and expresses a hope that he may also succeed in the establishment of such meetings.

I have, &c. (signed)

Enclosure in No. 2.

J. Gaspard Le Marchant.

Sir,

Halifax, 23 May 1855. I have had the honour to receive your letter of the 10th instant, enclosing copies of certain documents from the rector and churchwardens of St. George's Parish, Halifax, requesting me to report, for his Excellency's information, upon the circumstances of the

Pase

On the 4th August 1854, the bishop of the diocese addressed a circular to the clergy, appointing 11th October 1854 as the day of lus visitation at Halifax. In his circular he also stated, in reference to the Colonial Church Bill then before the British Parliament, that he had at length determined to summon a meeting of clergy and lay delegates, to bes held the day following the visitation day, "in order that the members of the Church may decide for themselves whether they will hold periudical Church assemblies or not.”

Consequently a large meeting was held at Halifax, consisting of clergy and lay repre- septutives of the Church. After much deliberation it was decided by a large majority m favour of holding such meetings; viz. :

-

ค

ditto

10

ditto.

For the Meetings, 37 Clergymen and 28 Lay Delegates. Against them Such are the circumstanecs of the case.

5059

The

Encl. in No. 2.

CHURCH CONVOCATION (NOVA SCOTIA).

5

2/

ent into the Legislature which they are of opinion cannot be carried. The Crown, in its gislative as well as its administrative capacity, is compelled to change its policy; but in the tee of a bishop with a right of veto, sitting in a synod of clergy and laity, his position is ry different; he sits and debates in the same chamber, and by expressing an absolute ad irresponsible opinion, he must necessardy influence the independent action of the clergy ad laity, and thus (as in Vernon) nothing is put to vote in the Convention which does not import with the views entertained by the diocesan; the Bishop thereby possessing the ower which is not recognised in any fiec constitution in Europe or America.

Resolved,―That this parish remains unaltered in its opinion, expressed in its resolutions [September 1854, and respectfully protest against the formation of such a convention, as alculated to disturb the present bárimony and unity of this diocese, and to lead to the intro- uction of novelties and changes destructive of the peace of the Church.

Resolved,—That this meeting desire to express their respect for their Bishop, and regret at they are compelled to differ with him in opinion on this important subject. Resolved, That the foregoing Resolutions be forwarded by the rector and churchwardens, ccompanied by suitable remonstrances to his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Colonial Secretary, and that they be also published.

Passed unanimously.

(A true Copy.)

(signed)

John C. Crargen,

Vestry Clerk.

-

No. 2.