The BISHOP of OXFORD,in moving the second reading of this Bill, explained that its object was to extend the provisions of the Act of the 26th of Geo. III., chap. 81, which empowers the Archbishop for the time being to consecrate to the office of bishop persons being subjects or citizens of countries out of Her Majesty's dominions, to "any foreign country or heathen land."
§ The EARL of POWISwas understood to express his apprehension that the power which the Bill was intended to confer might be abused, unless accompanied by proper safeguards.
§ The EARL of MALMESBURYsaid, that great as were the advantages involved in this Bill, he would nevertheless caution Her Majesty's Government against the great risk which was certain to attend carrying the proposal into effect. He apprehended, if the bishops in this country were to be allowed to nominate persons to exer- 744 cise the functions of bishops in heathen Lands, the persons so nominated would stand in a very different position, in regard to their protection from outrage, from that of a simple missionary going at his own risk among a savage population; and that if they should meet with ill-treatment, or death, at the hands of the people among whom they laboured, the Government of this country might be called upon to avenge such ill-treatment or death.
§ The EARL of ABERDEENsupported the Bill, which he said did not contemplate assigning sees to the persons whom it would empower to perform the functions of bishop; and he did not think anything more was intended by it than to throw over them that protection which was extended to all British subjects in foreign lands.
§ Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the whole House, To-morrow.
§ House adjourned till To-morrow.