Reverend J .M. Forbes (Rector of Alberton), the Reverend Dr. Alfred Osborne (Rector of St. Eleanors, Summerside), and the Reverend James Simpson. Following the addresses the meeting was thrown open and a general discussion

ensued.

Father Simpson began his address by stating that the present condition of the Church of England on P.E.I. had been fully and clearly set forth in the Report of the Executive and in the Reports from the various parishes. He stated that his object was not to further describe it, but rather, to discuss the question of what should be done to improve it. One of the major points stressed in his paper was, that "for the better organization of the work of the Church so that its work may be carried on effectively and successfully, there should be more prolonged and intensive Episcopal Supervision".154 It was generally understood that the Bishop could give only a few days each year to the Island. Each day was filled with five or six addresses at various locations, usually combined with two or more services of confirmation. Under these circumstances it is impossible to expect the Bishop to gain any intimate knowledge of the prevailing wants, character and requirements of each of the parishes that will enable him to adopt the measures essential to the successful management and operation of the Church on the Island. He stated that the Anglican Church, like the Church of Rome:

depends upon Episcopal supervision and Episcopal action in the Church’s work. The practical value of such supervision has been exemplified in the case of the Roman Catholics of this Province The Roman Catholic Church in this Province has grown wonderfully. Every parish in it is fillly manned and the number of worshippers in it has increased. There can be no doubt or question that given efficient and adequate Episcopal supervision, such as that given the Church of Rome, the Church of England here would also grow and prosper. Therefore, I contend that an effort should be made to obtain Episcopal supervision either by a coadjutor or suffragan Bishop of Nova Scotia, or by the establishment of another Diocese to include the Island of Cape Breton, as well as the Island of Prince Edward.155

The remainder of the paper consisted of outlining a number of possibilities open to the church which could help alleviate restraints placed upon her and some practical suggestions for proposed solutions, such as, ways to facilitate the raising of capital needed to make the support of a suffragan Bishop for the Island possible, etc. . Father Simpson remained convinced that:

154. The Reverend J. Simpson Paper "Condition of the Church of England in PE. Island." St. Peter‘s Cathedral Archives.

155. Ibid.

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