Page:Distinguished Churchmen.djvu/121

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THE DEAN OF MANCHESTER
93

was undertaken. That was mainly due to the strenuous exertions of the late Sir John William Maclure, Bart., M.P., supported by colleagues in the Churchwardenships of Manchester, who enlisted the generous co-operation of Manchester landowers and citizens. In response to the appeal made at a public meeting, about £40,000 were raised throughout a period of years for the purpose. Under the superintendence of the late Mr Crowther, as architect, the fabric of the Church was restored in the best sense, every portion that had been rebuilt being renewed religiously on the old lines, as in the case of St Saviour's Collegiate Church, Southwark. Those operations were drawing to a close when I was appointed Dean in 1890; but it was my business to see the restoration brought to a successful conclusion, and to-day the edifice presents the exact aspect which it did in the fifteenth century, the new Victoria Porch excepted.”

“Does Lancashire suffer from a dearth of clergy, as is the case with some other counties?”

“Well, I think you may say that the candidates for ordination have been more numerous of late, partly owing to the fact that the Bishop and others have visited Oxford and Cambridge and addressed members of the Universities in college halls, with the result that many good men have been brought into the Diocese. Ordsal Hall has been established for the purpose of