The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-02-16 00:00:00

THE HOUSES OF CONVOCATION.

On Tuesday both Houses of the Convocation of
Canterbury assembled at Westminster for the despatch
of businesss _ _ _

Both Homes met together in 3erusalen3 Chamber,
and proceeded, headed by the Primate and bishops, to
Henry the VlT.'s Chapel in the Abbey, where they
received the Holy Communion. On the conclusion of
the service the Houses separated.
The bishops afterwards met in the board room of
Queen Anne's Bounty Office, his Grace the Archbishop
presiding.
A great many petitions were presented, several
from different quarters, having reference to the pro-
posal to establish middle.class schools in which one of
the rules of administration was a recognition of the
Conscience Clause of the Education Act, though the
schools would not be subject to the civil power in being
the recipients of grants or in any other way. The
petitions asked that support should not be given to the
schools.

The Archbishop announced that be had that day re.
ceived a letter from the Home Secretary announcing
that her Majesty had been pleased to constitute the
Bishopric of Southwell.
The Bishop of Ely thereupon moved—" That the
House desires to express its thankfulness to Almighty
God for the further extension of the Episcopate in the
Province of Canterbury; and the foundation of this
additional see,"
The motion was seconded by the Bishop of Lincoln
and carried nem, con.

_
The Bishop of Rochester, In speaking on the sub;
ject of the Day of Intercession for Missions, gave an
account of his visit last autumn in America as the
bearer of a letter from the Primate, and spoke of the
cordial reception he had met with in a convention
which was held in Philadelphia. He expressed the
hope that others of the bench of bishops would follow
his example, and see for themselves the great work
which was being carried out across the Atlantic on the
lines of the English Church. He dwelt upon the
organisation of mission work shown at the Convention,
and said that a similar association of both Convoca-
tions on the subject of missions in this country,
would have the effect of showing the reality of the
Church's life.

The Bishop of London expressed the hope that the
Church would take to heart the subject of supporting
mission work at home and abroad.

The Bishop of Lincoln considered that the liouss
should not pass over the statement without a record
being made of the visit, reciprocating the cordial feeling
shown by the American Church. He moved a resolu•
tion acknowledging the valuable services of the Bishop
of Rochester in visiting the American Church and the
honourable reception given him by that Church,
expressing thanks to God that in this year of the 100th
anniversary of the consEcration of the first American
Bishop the English Church had heard of the great
spread of the American Church, and praying that the
two Churches would long be joined together in the
sacred bonds of evangelical truth, apostolical order, and
catholic love.
The Bishop of Winchester seconded the motion,
which was adopted, and the Primate expressed his in.
tention of accompanying the resolution with a letter
from himself.

The members of the Lower House assembled in the
College Hall, next to Westminster Hall, the Very
Rev. the Dean of Worcester, Lord Alwyne Compton,
presiding.
The petitions which came before the Upper House
were presented to this House. A resolution affirm.
ing the necessity of obtaining a voluntary censui ol
Church people was negatived. The chief part of the
day's sitting was occupied on the subject of the Con.
science Clause being admittei in the Church middle.
class schools. The Archdeacon of Taunton protested
against the adoption of the Conscience Clause in the
schools, but Canon Gregory supported it, and said that
Convocation had nothing whatever to do with the
Church Middle-Class School Company.