Bishopscourt.

The Trastees of the Bishopric Endowment and Estate have had a task of considerable difficulty to discharge in connection with my coming here. They, with the co-operation of the Diocesan Trustees, have been able to arrange matters satisfactorily for the immediate present. I desire to express to those gentlemen my sense alike of the difficulties they had to face and of the tact and courteous consideration with which they faced them. I do not propose to discuss in any detailed way the Bishopric Endowment or Estate with you at this Synod. When I accepted nomination to the Bishopric I conveyed to you information that, in my judgment, Christianity and debt were contradictory terms. So far as I can see at present, although living is more expensive in this country than at Home, I can live out of debt until, probably, next Synod; and my general impression is: the alternatives then to be faced are, either almost doubling the Episcopal income or, with due regard to historical association and conservation of valuable sentiment, the complete reorganisation of the Bishopric Estate. I do not apprehend immediate difficulty, owing to the action of the Trust Board; but, for the sake of the Faith we believe, I am confident it is far better just simply to state: I will never willingly be in the position of a Diocesan Bishop who cannot, without getting into debt, adequately fulfil those obligations of hospitality and courtesy that a Churchman has a right to expect his Bishop to bear. The Trustees are, to a certain extent, conversant with the facts. Their motion for general powers over the Estate, subject to the Bishop's consent, is a step as wise as it is necessary.