Page:The Church of England, its catholicity and continuity.djvu/212

196 other Cathedrals; and the revenues of the separate estates of Deans and Residentiary Canons as distinguished from corporate revenues; and the proceeds of sinecure rectories, were appropriated and entrusted to the management of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners." Out of these revenues the Commissioners now pay fixed stipends to the Bishops, Deans, Resident Canons, and Archdeacons. The money left after this is done they give as they think best to other objects in the Church. As a result of this they have greatly improved 5,000 benefices in the country.

In 1836 there was passed the "Episcopal Act," by which was effected a re-organization of the Dioceses in England. This led to the founding of the Bishoprics of Manchester, and Ripon; Gloucester and Bristol were united as one See. You remember that the Bishopric of Gloucester was very poor. Since then, and not long ago, Gloucester and Bristol have again been made two separate Dioceses, and suitable stipends have been provided for the Bishops. The Bishoprics of Bangor and S. Asaph were also amalgamated. There was no change made in the number of Dioceses in England by this redistribution.

Another important source of strength to the Church of England was the revival of Convocation, whose duty it is to discuss the work of the Church, and to deliberate on matters of interest and common difficulties. This was revived in 1852. It had not met before this time for 130 years. Bishop Wilberforce was the great moving spirit in this important matter, who was at Oxford during the Tractarian Movement, and who was one of its supporters. As early as 1844 an attempt was made to revive this disused branch of Church