With reference to the "Fathers of the Council of Trent"; the apostate Emperor Julian's persecution of the church and his forbidding of Chrisitans attending schools of grammar, philosophy or eloquence; the seizure of universtities and schools; fortunate that for the Catholics of the British Empire this no longer applies; each district has an episopal seminary; which are not well endowed. The Fathers consider the erection and proper endowment of episcopal colleges "a holy and pious work". Hence appointed collectors will call to solict assistance to support seminaries, establish and support missions and provide for the wants of local congregation members.
Manuscript note: "St Mary's Hall, Jan[uary] 1st 1839 / My Dear H[usenbeth] / Have the goodness to distribute these papers in N[orfolk] and S[uffolk] paying yourself for the [illegible] of this out of your first remittance. The cards are sent only as specimens which may easily be multiplied by parties as they want them. The Bishop is worried about the [theology?] whether it will answer remains to be seen. All depends on the Clergy." [unsigned]
Signed
- Peter A Baines, Bishop of Siga, Vic. Apost. in Western District
- Thomas Walsh, Bishop of Cambyspolis, Viv. Apost. in Midland District
- John Briggs, Bishop of Trachis, Viv. Apost. in Northern District
- Thomas Griffiths, Bishop of Olena, Vic. Apost. in London District