Thursday 11 June 1908

[254-64] Preliminaries, preconization and bishop's charge. The convocation then assembled in the antechapel where prayers were read by the Rev. Canon Savage. The minutes of the last convocation were read by the Rev. Canon Kewley and confirmed.

Communications from the president

The lord bishop: There are just one or two matters I wish to mention. I alluded to two societies in my charge and I feel very deeply anxious about them. The Additional Curates Society is a society which claims a wide and general support. It has been so many years identified with the Manx church that we ought to give it our consideration as a body and lend it ready assistance so far as the position of parishes will enable us to do so. I am sure that all the parishes who receive grants do try to render aid, but I hope the other parishes will take a large view of this matter and consider how we are members one of another, that this is a Manx church matter.

[265] The other matter is that of the diocesan society for the promotion of religious education. I feel very strongly on this matter, as we are really coming to a deadlock. We are inspecting schools and giving prizes and money is not supplied. I do not wish to complain, but looking over the lists I see the small contributions. I think that the inspectors have a right to complain that parishes are inspected and receive prizes and yet do nothing to support the fund. So far as I am concerned, I will not be a party to continuing this state of affairs. We are in debt, and it is a plain matter of common sense that the parishes must give their support or we must refuse the prizes. We do not ask for much but we do ask for some support. Some of you may wish to speak on this matter. The inspection will be carried out and brought to a close about the end of October. Then the committee will meet and all the reports will be in and we will know what money we have got throughout the island, and we shall see what can be done in the way of prizes.