PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND.

ideals. As an instance, the Rev. Henry Swabey relinquished two years of the con- tribution made by the parish towards his sti- pend to assist in building a parsonage. In- deed at this time, within the range covered by her ministrations the Church most nearly justified her claim to be regarded as a na- tional church. Feeling somewhat of this there was an earnest desire on the part of the leaders in such forward movement to press on. In 1862 it was decided to appeal to friends and wellwishers in England for sub- scriptions towards the bishopric endowment fund. Their appeal as drawn up set forth:

That the number of Episcopal visita- tions since the beginning of the century had not exceeded eight.

That the clergy and laity of Prince Ed. ward Island had never connected themselves or been represented at the Diocesan Assem- bly of Nova Scotia, which first met in Hali- fax, October 15. 1856.

That such Diocesan Assembly had, by resolution. afi‘irmed that Prince Edward Is- land was not part of the See of Nova Sco- tia properly so called, being merely placed under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of that diocese during the Royal Pleasure.

That in these dependencies of our great Empire there exists no necessity for the be- stowal of large incomes upon the holders of the Episcopal oflice, the state of society being altogether different from that in the parent country and the expenses of living much more moderate.

That if a fund amounting to £7,000 or £8,000 sterling could be raised and invested in this colony where the legal rate of interest is six per cent, it would yield a competent income.

That the means of the inhabitants ren- dered it quite impossible that any material

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part of the above fund could be raised from local resources. '

That under these circumstances and in view of the interest which the people of Eng- land have invariably evinced in the welfare of the Church in the colonies they felt justi- fied in making this appeal.

The wealthier members of St. Paul’s ex-

‘pressed their readiness to contribute accord-

ing to their ability. A member at that time leaving for London was empowered to lay the matter before those interested and as- certain what prospect there was of such an appeal meeting with a favourable response. This he did and received a certain amount of encouragement, but after the matter had been kept under consideration for over a year it was, on the advice of the Bishop, temporarily laid aside.

As already noted, the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, as far back as 1845, had given notice that it had adopted as a settled policy to effect a gradual diminution and ultimate extinction of its grants “as soon as the people may fairly be expected to provide for their own spiritual necessities." Now it proceeded to carry such decision into effect in the Diocese of Nova Scotia. The responsibility of paying stipends of the clergy was transferred to the diocesan 0r- ganimtions, the society limiting its future liability to contributing a fixed sum (£4,000 sterling) payments to be extended over nine years. No action was taken with regard to Prince Edward Island, but notice was given that within a few years the same course would be followed.

But a much more severe blow was in store for the Colonial Church, and one which when it fell left churchmen for a short time dazed and fearful. It was announced on authority that the Church of England in