CO129-148 - Public Offices & Others - 1870 — Page 650

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to extend his official visits as "Secretary to superintend the Ca- Mission" to Foochow and Pekin "on matters of native significance," you have also declined.

The consecration of a Missionary Bishop for your own China Missions exclusively has been suggested. The scheme separates the Missionary from the Colonial jurisdiction of the See of Victoria, thereby depriving it of its chief interest and attraction. It also deprives the See of an episcopal residence; St. Paul's College, Hong- Kong being essentially connected with the missionary character of the See. It further alienates from the See that portion of the endowment, viz. £3000, originally given by a brother and sister to the endowment of the See, but subsequently transferred to the endowment of the College and benefit of its Warden to be engaged in the training of a native ministry for China, or otherwise evan- gelizing its people.

I can suggest no plan for the division of episcopal jurisdiction in China against which weighty objections do not rest. I would there- fore have persuaded this Committee not to have precipitated a mea- sure, but rather to follow the leadings of Divine Providence as they may be disclosed. But this does not seem to be the mind of the Committee, by whom something immediate seems demanded.

I think the only true basis for any division of episcopal superin- tendence in China is that of Missionary among the heathen within the dominions of the Emperor of China as distinguished from Colonial among the British in Hong-Kong and the treaty-ports of

China.

I revert, therefore, to the last scheme I mentioned as the only feasible scheme I can devise, notwithstanding its virtual extinction of the See of Victoria in its missionary relations. With the consent of the Primate, as Visitor of St. Paul's College, Hong-Kong, and of such other authorities as may be concerned, that foundation might perhaps be transferred from Missionary to Colonial uses; and that portion of the endowment now appropriated to the maintenance of the Warden may be transferred to its original assignation, viz. the endowment of the See of Victoria.

Under such arrangements in respect of the See of Victoria, I

should propose that the superintendence of the Missionary Bishop extend over the Society's Missions within the dominions of the Emperor of China; the European Missionaries of the Church Mis. sionary Society as well as the native clergy of the Society's Missions, and they only, being wholly transferred to the superintendence of the Missionary Bishop.

The Missionary Bishop has no official connexion whatever with the Society's Missions within Her Majesty's Colonial possessions in China,

This proposal is of course subject to the approval of the Primate and of Her Majesty's Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs and also for the Colonies.

It involves concessions such as necessity alone can justify. But it is a necessity that our controversy cease. And therefore,-- though there is no endowment for the See in hand or even contem- plated, though I believe the proposal rests upon a false ecclesias- tical principle, that of Societies' Bishops as distinguished from Bishops of a Church, and to be in that respect inconsistent with Scriptural precedent,-though I know the arrangement can only be effected on conventional understandings which are generally prolific in nisunderstandings,--and though in other respects the scheme is in my opinion as objectionable as believe it to be uncalled for by any present requirements of the China-Missions,-nevertheless, for the sake of concord, I now offer it for your consideration, and before my departure for China I am prepared to do my part to give it effect, if approved by this Society and sanctioned by the Primate and Her Majesty's Government.

I accept the explanation that has been offered me by the Right Hon, the President and by the Honorary Clerical Secretary that the appointment of the Roverend W. A. Russell as Secretary to super- intend the China Mission, in accordance with the Resolution of the Corresponding Committee of September 24th, 1867, has reference to secular matters only as distinguished from matters ecclesiastical.

In reference to Mr. Russell's letter to myself of Dec. 13, 1868, I have a firm confidence that when that gentleman is aware that the

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