A constitutional study of the Church of England in Australia, 1847-1872

Abstract

There have always been those who prefer to see the building up of an organisational framework for the Church as detracting from its main task. But it has not been the form or extent of organisation which has determined whether the wider work of the Church has been helped or hindered; rather, it has been the ease with which that organisation has been able to adapt to changing circumstances which has been important. In the nineteenth century, the various churches in the Australian colonies all had to search for a means whereby this could be accomplished. This study is concerned with the efforts of the Church of England to do this during some of its most crucial years. Earlier studies involving this field fall into two main categories. Some have been rightly concerned with constitutional developments in one or other of the various dioceses or with the lives of those who led them. Others, fewer in number, have been too comprehensive in either scope or time to give the constitutional aspects of the Church's development the attention and the interpretation which they require. Much of this development still remains to be examined in detail; but it is my hope that this study goes some way towards filling the gaps which have been left. For at least one contemporary observer, the subject of colonial church government was “undoubtedly one not only of very great practical importance, but also of very great practical difficulty". This would be a fair judgement still. One of the most pressing difficulties has been the scattered and fragmentary nature of the various records. Few are complete in themselves; some have disappeared altogether. The attention which this study gives to the roles of the various bishops reflects more than the key, often dominant part which they played in the life of the Church in Australia, and the moral authority which attaches to the episcopal office. It also reflects the relative lack of sources which throw light on the attitudes and activities of the leading members of the clergy and laity. As for the ordinary Anglican in the Australian dioceses of a century ago, he least of all left any record of what he felt, and why. Even where published records do survive, much was often left unsaid. But if the difficulties have been important, so have the rewards. The counsel and encouragement of Mr D.W.A, Baker and Mrs. B.R. Penny, both of the Australian National University, has earned my continuing gratitude. I am grateful to Mr. S.C. Bennett, also of the A.N.U., for his assistance in various ways, and to many people at the Royal Military College who provided support for research undertaken out of Canberra. The staffs of the Latrobe, Oxley, Mitchell, and Bridges Memorial Libraries have been of assistance in various ways, as have many people at the State Archives of Tasmania, the Queensland Parliamentary Library, and the Library of Lambeth Palace, London. Special acknowledgement is due to the librarians at St. Mark’s Institute of Theology and at the National Library of Australia, Canberra. The Registrars of the diocese of Sydney (successively the Right Reverend H.G.S. Begbie and Mr. John Denton) and of the diocese of Melbourne (successively Mr C.W.H. Barnes and Mr. W. Feltham) have been unfailing in their patience and assistance. Mrs. E.H. Colville readily gave me permission to use the papers of her great-grandfather, Archbishop Tait. Many others, too numerous to mention individually, have given generously of their time and advice whenever I sought it. The typing has been the work of Miss Marion Parkins (now Mrs. Connors), to whom my thanks are due. For the unfailing support of my wife throughout this project, I am especially grateful.