The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-07 00:00:00

CAPITULAR, APPOINTMENTS-THE NEW

COMMISSION.

VICTORIA R.
Victoria, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the
Faith ; to the Most Reverend Father in God, our right
trusty and right entirely beloved councillor John Bird
Archbishop of Canterbury ; the Most Reverend Father
in God, our right trusty and right entirely beloved
councillor Thomas Archbishop of York ; our trusty and
well-beloved John Winston Churchill, Esquire (com-
monly called Marquis of Blandford),- our right trusty
and right well-beloved cousin Dudley Earl of Harrowby ;
the Right Reverend Father in God our right trusty
and well-beloved councillor Charles James Bishop of
London ; the Right Reverend Father in God, Samuel
Bishop of Oxford ; our right trusty and well-beloved coun-
cilors Sir John Dodson, Knight, Doctor of Laws, and Sir
John Patteson, Knight • our trusty and well-beloved Sir
William Page Wood, Knight, one of our counsel, learned
in the law ; Christopher Wordsworth, Doctor in Divinity ;
Walter Farquhar Hook, Doctor in Divinity ; John Jack-
son, Clerk, Master of Arts ; and William Selwyn, Clerk,
Bachelor in Divinity, greeting : Whereas the recom-
mendations of the commission of inquiry into the state
of the Established Church in England and Wales, touching
tho cathedral and collegiate churches therein, proved most
beneficial in enabling parliament to devise measures for the
greater efficiency of the Established Church, especially by
making better provision for the cure of souls in populous
districts where such assistance was more immediately re-
quired. And whereas it has been represented to us, that
the said cathedral and collegiate churches may be rendered
more available for promoting the high and holy purposes
for which they were founded, and for further extending
the efficiency and usefulness of the Established Church :
Now, know ye, that we, reposing great trust and confidence
in your zeal, knowledge, and discretion, have authorised
and appointed, and by these presents do authorise and
appoint, you the said John Bird Archbishop of Canterbury,
Thomas Archbishop of York, John Winston Churchill,
Esq. (commonly called Marquis of Blandford), Dudley Earl
of Harrowby, Charles James Bishop of London, Samuel,
Bishop of Oxford, Sir John Declaim, Sir John Patteson, Sir
William Page Wood, Christopher Wordsworth, Walter
Farquhar Hook, John Jackson, and William Selwyn, to be
our commissioners to inquire into the state and condition
of the several cathedral and collegiate churches in England
and Wales, and into the duties of the members and minis-
ters thereof, and other matters connected therewith, with
a view to the suggestion of such measures as (regard being
had to the purposes for which such cathedral and collegiate
churches were originally founded) may render the same
more efficient and useful in promoting and extending the
means of public worship and religious education, and in
enforcing ecclesiastical discipline in the several dioceses in
which they are situate, and also (where occasion may seem
to require) with a view to the suggestion of such measures
as may make the said cathedral and collegiate churches,
and the revenues thereof, available, in aid of the erection
of new sees, or of other arrangements for the discharge of
episcopal duties.
And for the better effecting the purposes of this our
commission, we do by these presents give and grant to you,
or any four or more of you, full power and authority to call
before you, or any four or more of you, such persons as you
shall judge necessary, by whom you may. be the better in-
formed on the subject of this our commission, and every
matter connected therewith ; and also to call for, have
access to, and examine all such official books, documents,
papers, and records as may afford the fullest information
on the subject ; and to inquire of and concerning the pre-
mises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever.
And our will and pleasure is, that you do receive and
consider all such suggestions as the several deans and chap-
ters of the said cathedral and collegiate churches may sub-
mit to you in writing, as to the means by which the objects
of this our commission may be best obtained, so far as re-
gards their respective churches.
And our further will and pleasure is, that you, or any
four or more of you, do and shall, within the space of two I
years after the date of this our commission, or sooner, if
the same can reasonably be, report to us in writing, under
your hands and seals, respectively, your several proceedings
in this matter, as the same shall be respectively completed
and perfected.
And we will and command, and by these presents ordain,
that this our commission shall continue in full force and
virtue, and that you, our said commissioners, or any four
or more of you, may from time to time proceed in the exe-
cution thereof, and of every matter and thing therein con-
tained, although the same be not continued from time to
time by adjournment.
And for your assistance in the due execution of this our
commission, we have made choice of our trusty and well-
beloved Richard Jones, clerk, master of arts, to be secretary
to this our commission, and to attend you, whose services
and assistance we require you to use from time to time, as
occasion may require.
Given at'our Court of St. James's,
the 10th day of November, 1852,
in the 16th year of our reign.
By her Majesty's command.
S. H. WALPOLE.