Thursday 15 June 1878

[I] On the fifteenth of June 1878, being Thursday in Whitsun week, according to ancient usage, the bishop and clergy of the diocese met in convocation in the antechapel at Bishopscourt, divine service having previously been held in the chapel, and after celebration of Holy Communion, a charge delivered by his lordship the bishop to the assembled clergy.

Appearance roll

The appearance roll as customary was called over by Samuel Harris esq., episcopal registrar, when the following clergy answered to their names [The names of the bishop and the parish clergy follow, with the following additions:]

R. D. Jones, examining chaplain.

[2] W. Heaton, King William's College

W. Trafford, King William's College

H. C. Bairdson, King William's College

[3] D. Jenkins, King William's College

Richard Jeff, vicar-general

Samuel Harris, episcopal registrar.

The clergy present, having severally answered to their names, returned to their places in the antechapel, and prayer having been said by the right reverend the bishop, the business was proceeded with in the ordinary manner.

Diocesan conference

His lordship the bishop helped to direct the attention of convocation to the subject of a diocesan conference, as now several [exist] in other dioceses, and after pointing out the advantages [4] of clergy and laity meeting periodically for deliberation on matters affecting the interests of religion and the welfare of the church, presented a draft scheme of such conference for consideration.

Appointment of committees

The following were appointed as a committee to consider and report on the draft scheme of a diocesan conference: the bishop, the archdeacon, [R.] D. Jones, J. Qualtrough, W. Kermode, R. G. Brearey and H. S. Gill.

His lordship next pointed out the great desirableness of having some system of diocesan inspection for the schools of the island. Some of the clergy suggested that the diocesan inspectorship might be continued with the duties of one or more supernumerary [5] clergymen who might assist their elder brethren in case of need. And after some little discussion on the subject, it was deferred to a committee to consist of the bishop, the archdeacon and W. Kermode.