the Church of England on the Island and within the Diocese of Nova Scotia . Likewise, Bishop Binney saw the matter as a much larger question than simply that of the use of the Pastoral Staff: He reasoned

The Question is: — Ought a Bishop submit to the dictation of one of his clergy as to his vestments, or ornaments, or mode of officiating on any occasion? He who would allow such dictation, would sanction the subversion of all order, and something worse than anarchy in the church, in which he has been invested with authority and responsibility.88

Resolutions from the Congregation of St. Paul’s Church.

The Reverend Dr. Fitzgerald rallied the people of St. Paul’s Church in his support during a congregational Meeting held on October 12th, 1872. The Reverend Mr. Fitzgerald took the opportunity of responding to a letter he had received from the Bishop which denounced the action taken by the Rector and Warden of the Parish Church and concluded with a promise not to return to St. Paul’s until those responsible return to "a better mind". During the course of the Meeting two resolutions commending the action of the Rector and Warden were passed:

That this meeting having heard read the letter from the Bishop of Nova Scotia to the Church Wardens, and the statements made by the Rector and the Church Warden in explanation of their action, and the authorities submitted by the Rector in support pursued by him on the morning of Tuesday, 29th August, as well as the opinion now expressed by the different members of the congregation, are of the opinion that the Rector and the Church Warden were fully justified in the course they pursued, and are entitled to the thanks of this congregation for their firm and decided action on that occasion, in thus preventing his Lordship from introducing novelties into the ceremonies of the Church, which, once allowed, might lead to other innovations that would be detrimental to the vital interests of the Church, and the preservation of her legal rights and privileges. There being, as we conceive, no legal authority for his Lordship to introduce any novelties into the services of the Church in this Island, subject as it is by statute (43 Geo. III, cap. vi) to the orders and constitutions of the Church of England, and the laws there established.

2d. That this congregation has heard with regret the determination of their Bishop, expressed in his Lordship’s letter to the Church Wardens, to the efi‘ect

that he will not again enter St. Paul’s Church. But they cannot admit that any conduct of their Rector, or their Church Warden, as explained by them, has

88. Ibid.

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