THE WAKEFORD CASE.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."1 SIR,—We desire to make a Public Appeal. The Bishop of Lincoln has been. involved in heavy expenses, which, it is estimated, will amount to upwards of .64,000, through the Appeal to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council by the late Archdeacon of Stow from the judgment of the Coneistory Court. The judg- ment of the Privy Council orders that the Bishop shall be recouped by Mr. Wakeford for the expenditure which he has incurred in the execution of a public duty. It is uncertain if any appreciable amount can be recovered from Mr. Wakeford, but in any event there must be a very heavy liability falling on the Bishop, in addition to what he may be able to recover under the authority of the Court. To the Bishop the sympathy of the whole Church will go out. He had a most painful duty to per- form, but in the interests of the Church he courageously faced it. The financial burden which the case has imposed upon him is most serious, and it would be unfair that the Bishop should be left personally responsible for it. We ask all who agree with us to help in creating a fund in his aid. Even small contribu- tions will be welcomed. Cheques should be sent to "The Bishop of Lincoln's Costs Fund," National Provincial and Union Bank, Lincoln; or to the Treasurer (Mr. Eustace Abel-Smith) at the Union Branch of that Bank.—We are, Sir, &c.,
YARBOROUGH, Lord- Lieutenant, Lincs.; Asessna; SELBORNE; LIVERPOOL; Hermes (Joint Hon. Sec.); E. A. KNox, late Bishop, Manchester; N. L. Asenisu., Arch- deacon, Manchester; C. G. E. Waxy, Denton, Lines; R. L. ANTROBUS, K.C.M.G., C.B., Churchwarden St. Peter's, Cranley Gardens; J. J. SCOTT, Canon, Man- chester; W. A. SPOONER, Warden, New College, Oxford ; F. J. Commix., Walsall; C. A. SWAN, Sausthorpe Hall, Lines; W. K. Rea, Diocesan Board of Finance, Lines; ALFRED Saurn.zwosam, Lincoln; Coin:massy C. SIETHORP, Canwick, Lines; H. J. Tom; Morton Hall, Lines; EUBTACE Amic-Surru (Hon. Treasurer); T. C. Far (Joint Hon. See.).
[We sincerely hope that the Bishop of Lincoln will be relieved of the whole of the costs. He performed a bare act of duty, and it is monstrous that he should be financially crippled because he did the right thing for the reputation of the Church. It is to be hoped that a regular Fund will be estab- lished for the prosecution of criminous clerks. At present it costs a Bishop immense sums to set the law in motion against immoral clergy. He has to pay out of his stipend or his private puree. But though such a Fund ought to be created as soon as possible—the long absence of it has been a scandal—it cannot help the Bishop of Lincoln in the present emergency. The Bishop thoroughly deserves the support of Churchmen.—ED. Spectator.]
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