Page:Distinguished Churchmen.djvu/124

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DISTINGUISHED CHURCHMEN

is a vast colony of Hebrews, over 20,000 of whom are said to live in Manchester. An effort is being made, under the auspices of the Parochial Missions to the Jews, to inform this population on the Christian religion, and a clergyman has been appointed by myself for this special purpose. The Hebrews, I find, are a loyal, law-abiding, well-mannered people, setting an example in many respects as citizens to their Christian neighbours. I am deeply interested in all that concerns their welfare, and together with my son, the Rector of St Alban's, in whose parish also they dwell, I am determined to spare no effort to lead them on, at anyrate to inquiry respecting the Christian faith. It is significant that many Jewish parents are not only willing but anxious that the children should know something of Christ, but, of course, they do not admit Him to be their Messiah, though He may be ours.”

“Then do you regard Church work as a whole in Lancashire as being in a healthy state?”

“In the first place, it is well to remember that the Diocese of Manchester is a large one, comprising the County of Lancashire, except that part—the lesser part—embraced in the Diocese of Liverpool. So far as my knowledge extends, I should say there was a strong and deep interest taken in the work of the Church in Lancashire. Speaking for the Diocese of Manchester, I am persuaded that a further subdivision must be