QUESTION. (Hansard, 23 May 1878)

§ THE EARL OF HARROWBY

reminded their Lordships that on Friday last he put a Question to the right rev. Prelate (the Bishop of London) as to whether a clergyman who had refused to yield obedience to the law—the Rev. Mr. Edwards, Vicar of Prestbury—had been invited to preach at St. Paul's? and on that occasion the right rev. Prelate stated the inquiries which he had made and promised to make further inquiries, as some of the canons were absent. The John Bull newspaper had taken it upon itself to throw discredit on the whole matter, and stated that no such invitation had been made. He now wished to ask, If the right rev. Prelate had made further inquiries, and could give any information on the subject?

THE BISHOP OF LONDON

said, that when the noble Earl asked him the Question on Friday, he could only reply that having communicated with the Dean and Chapter he was informed that they had made no such appointment, and were not aware that it had been made. In two or three days after he received a letter from Canon Liddon, who at that time was absent, who said he had read the report of the Question and Answer in the debates of Friday last, and begged to inform him that some time in the month of April he asked Mr. Edwards to preach at St. Paul's on Sunday, December 15, and did so in consequence of his recollection of the great ability of Mr. Edwards as a preacher, and in consequence of the recommendation of a friend. The invitation thus given had no reference to recent circumstances. Canon Liddon added that for the last four years he had had Mr. Edwards's name on his list of the clergymen whom he intended to invite to preach. The appointment had not been laid before the Dean and Chapter, and was not likely to be so laid till near the time when Mr. Edwards was to have preached. However, Mr. Edwards had withdrawn his acceptance of the invitation and there was an end of the matter. He could not help expressing his regret that any circumstance should have arisen which should be capable of the construction that one of so high a character and position as Canon Liddon had given his sanction to a clergyman now under condemnation for repeated acts of disobedience to the laws and courts of his Church.